He grew up in Ferrara and lost his mother at age three when she died giving birth to Isabella Maria d'Este.
[1] After spending time in France, his brother Ercole II d'Este invited him to help Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor in Lombardy in May 1536 as a captain of light cavalry.
The couple had no children but Francesco had two illegitimate daughters by one mother, whose name is unknown - Marfisa (c.1554-16 August 1608) and Bradamante (1559–1624).
Both Marfisa and Bradamante were made legitimate a few years after their birth by Pope Gregory XIII and by Alfonso II d'Este.
[4] Francesco later returned to his birthplace, acquired a palace, remodelled its gardens and added several buildings, most notably the so-called Palazzina di Marfisa d'Este, built in 1559 and left to his eldest daughter in his will.