The Conveyance of Dower lists all the cattle that had belonged to Pedro de Arias in Panama, the estate, the slaves, and the horses as a "pure and perfect gift irrevocable in favour.

[10] This illustrates how in the midst of the Spanish conquistadors, Isabel de Bobadilla was appointed to a highly politicized and powerful role.

"[12] De Soto also confirmed Isabel’s abilities by giving her the power of attorney, naming her governor of the island of Cuba.

[13] The only other woman who served in high office in the 16th century Spanish colonies was Aldonza Villalobos Manrique of Venezuela (es), who inherited the governorship of the Margarita Province when her father, Marcelo Villalobas, died in 1526.

Isabel Bobadilla contributed to the fortification of Cuba against rivals by advancing the construction of Havana’s first fortress La Fuerza.

of Mexico; and also includes de Soto’s Residencia, which was the investigation carried out in 1554 (after his death) to determine whether or not he had fulfilled all of his responsibilities outlined in his asiento.

Doña Isabel heard of this legal action, when she was appointed governor, and had seized the document from Ponce de Leon.

[16] In December 1543, Rodrigo Arangel brought the news to Doña Isabel in Havana of de Soto’s death.

These items included everything from a ranch in Mayabeque Province, complete with native laborers, several hundred heads of cattle, and 500 yucca plants to Soto’s house in Havana containing eighteen household slaves, a rosary made of thirty-two solid-gold beads, and a collar and cap made of black velvet.

Some people claim she moved back to Spain with the money she received while others believe that, after she heard of her husband’s death, she was "broke with grief upon hearing it, and a few days later she died.