Michelangelo Family Tree: The Story Behind The Renaissance's Greatest Sculptor

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni, born 6 March 1475 in Caprese (now Caprese Michelangelo), Republic of Florence, was a Renaissance sculptor, painter, architect, and poet — sculpted David (1501–04) and Pietà (1498–99); painted the Sistine Chapel ceiling (1508–12) and The Last Judgment (1536–41); architect of St Peter's Basilica in his late life. He died 18 February 1564 in Rome at age 88.

The Family's Roots: An Old Florentine Family

The Buonarroti family was an old Florentine family that had once been wealthy but was in financial decline at Michelangelo's birth.

His Parents

Father: Lodovico di Leonardo Buonarroti Simoni (1444–1531) — government administrator (podestà of Caprese and Chiusi at the time of Michelangelo's birth); died at age 87.

Mother: Francesca di Neri di Miniato del Sera (1456–1481) — homemaker; died when Michelangelo was 6. After her death, Michelangelo was placed with a wet nurse whose family were stonecutters in Settignano — Michelangelo later credited this experience with his love of stone.

His Brothers

Michelangelo was the second of five surviving sons:

Lionardo di Lodovico Buonarroti (1473–1510) — eldest brother; became a Dominican friar.

Michelangelo Buonarroti — the artist.

Buonarroto di Lodovico Buonarroti (1477–1528) — younger brother; ran the family wool trade (with Michelangelo's financial backing); died during a plague.

Giovansimone di Lodovico Buonarroti (1479–1548) — younger brother; mostly idle; the source of much family tension.

Sigismondo di Lodovico Buonarroti (1481–1555) — youngest brother.

His Father's Second Wife

After Francesca's 1481 death, Lodovico remarried in 1485 to Lucrezia degli Ubaldini, who became Michelangelo's stepmother.

His Personal Life

Michelangelo never married and had no biological children. He had close emotional and possibly romantic attachments to several young men — most famously Tommaso de' Cavalieri (he wrote 300+ poems to him).

The Buonarroti Family Tree at a Glance

Family Origins: Old Florentine family; declining wealth at Michelangelo's birth.

Father: Lodovico Buonarroti (1444–1531) — government administrator.

Mother: Francesca di Neri (1456–1481) — died when Michelangelo was 6.

Stepmother: Lucrezia degli Ubaldini (m. 1485).

Brothers: Lionardo (1473–1510); Buonarroto (1477–1528); Giovansimone (1479–1548); Sigismondo (1481–1555).

Nephew: Lionardo di Buonarroto Buonarroti (1519–1599) — Buonarroto's son; inherited Michelangelo's estate; the Casa Buonarroti in Florence comes through this line.

Michelangelo:

  • Born 6 March 1475, Caprese
  • Florence: apprenticed to Domenico Ghirlandaio at age 13 (1488)
  • Sculpted in the Garden of San Marco under Bertoldo di Giovanni; patronage of Lorenzo de' Medici (Lorenzo il Magnifico)
  • Rome (1496–1501): Pietà (1498–99) at age 23–24
  • Florence (1501–1505): David (1501–04) at age 26–29
  • Rome (1505–1516): tomb of Pope Julius II (begun 1505; completed 1545 in much-reduced form); Sistine Chapel ceiling (May 1508 – October 1512)
  • Florence (1516–1534): Medici Chapel in San Lorenzo (sculptures of Lorenzo and Giuliano de' Medici)
  • Rome (1534–1564): The Last Judgment (1536–41) on the Sistine Chapel altar wall; architect of St Peter's Basilica (from 1546)
  • Died 18 February 1564, Rome, age 88
  • Body smuggled out of Rome (per Florentine law on returning native sons); buried at the Basilica di Santa Croce, Florence
  • Wrote ~300 sonnets

What the Buonarroti Family Story Teaches Us

A father who was a minor government administrator. A mother who died when Michelangelo was 6. A wet-nurse stonecutter family that introduced him to stone. Four brothers — one a friar, one a wool trader (whom Michelangelo bankrolled), one a difficult relative. A lifelong unmarried artist who supported his family financially across his entire career. A 88-year life that produced David, the Sistine Chapel, and St Peter's Basilica.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Michelangelo story carries the same lesson. Sometimes a child takes on the financial leadership of the family despite being one of several siblings. Michelangelo's lifelong financial support of his brothers is on the Buonarroti family record alongside every fresco. Write down which family member shouldered the family.

👉 Start building your family legacy today with Family Root App

📜 Disclaimer The family tree and biographical information provided in this article are based on publicly available historical sources and records. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee the completeness or authenticity of all data. This content is intended for educational and informational purposes only. If you believe any information is incorrect or wish to request edits or removal, please contact us at Info@familyrootapp.com.