García Álvarez de Toledo y Carrillo de Toledo, 1st Duke of Alba de Tormes[1] (c. 1424 – 20 June 1488) was a Spanish nobleman, military leader and politician, whose family had presided over the lands of Alba de Tormes since the year 1369.

[3] In 1472, King Henry IV of Castile elevated the County of Alba de Tormes into a hereditary Duchy.

The first Duke of Alba fought in the War of the Castilian Succession on the side of the future Queen Isabella I of Castille against her niece, Juana la Beltraneja.

In 1448, he married María Enríquez de Quiñones, daughter of Fadrique Enríquez, Admiral of Castile, with whom he had 5 sons and 4 daughters.

They had the following children: A granddaughter, María de Toledo y Rojas, married Diego Colón, son of Christopher Columbus.