Maria Paleologa was an Italian noblewoman. She was the eldest child of William IX, Marquess of Montferrat

William IX, Marquess of Montferrat

William IX was marquess of Montferrat from 1494 until his death.-Biography:He was the son of marquis Boniface III and Maria Branković....

 and Anna d'Alençon. In 1517 her mother betrothed her to Federico II Gonzaga, son of Isabella d'Este

Isabella d'Este

Isabella d'Este was Marchesa of Mantua and one of the leading women of the Italian Renaissance as a major cultural and political figure. She was a patron of the arts as well as a leader of fashion, whose innovative style of dressing was copied by women throughout Italy and at the French court...

, who later became Marquis

Marquis

Marquis is a French and Scottish title of nobility. The English equivalent is Marquess, while in German, it is Markgraf.It may also refer to:Persons:...

 and Duke

Duke

A duke or duchess is a member of the nobility, historically of highest rank below the monarch, and historically controlling a duchy...

 of Mantua

Mantua

Mantua is a city and comune in Lombardy, Italy and capital of the province of the same name. Mantua's historic power and influence under the Gonzaga family, made it one of the main artistic, cultural and notably musical hubs of Northern Italy and the country as a whole...

. The marriage contract was annulled, however, after Federico accused Maria of attempting to poison his mistress Isabella Boschetti

Isabella Boschetti

Isabella Boschetti or Boschetto was a Manutan noblewoman and lover of Federico II Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua. She was nicknamed 'La bella Boschetta' .-Life:...

, wife of the Count of Calvisano

Calvisano

Calvisano is a comune in the Italian province of Brescia, in Lombardy.It is the manufacturing base of Flyflot, the well known comfort shoe manufacturers.Agritech is a known fiberglass silos company....

.