He was the eldest son of Stefano Visconti and Valentina Doria.

His uncle Luchino Visconti exiled him to Montferrat in 1346, but in 1350 returned to Milan.

As co-ruler of the domain after the death of his uncle Giovanni Visconti (1354), Matteo was given Lodi, Piacenza, Parma and Bologna.

He died after a dinner in which, according to his mother and others, he had been poisoned by his brothers.

His daughter Caterina was married to Ugolino Gonzaga of Mantua.