Polissena Sforza

Polissena Sforza (1428 – June 1, 1449) was an Italian noblewoman and wife of the Lord of Rimini. She was the daughter of the condottiero Francesco Sforza, the future Duke of Milan, and Giovanna d'Acquapendente, his mistress, with whom he had five children.

She was named Polissena after Francesco's first wife, Polissena Ruffo, who had died in 1420.

Between 1441 and April 1442, at the age of thirteen, she married Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, Lord of Rimini. She became Sigismondo's second wife, after Ginevra d'Este, who had died in 1440.

During their marriage, Polissena participated in the social and ceremonial aspects of Rimini's court. She had two children with Sigismondo: Galeotto, born in January 1443 and Giovanna, born in 1444 or 1445. Giovanna was married to Giulio Cesare da Varano, with a betrothal in 1451. Galeotto died young, predeceasing Polissena.

Pope Nicholas V issued a bull declaring Polissena of legitimate birth on November 1, 1448.

On June 1, 1449, Polissena died in Rimini at the Abbey of Scolca. Her death was likely due to plague, although there were rumors she was suffocated on Sigismondo's orders. The rumors are not generally credited by modern historians.