Alessandro de' Medici, also known as "Il Moro" or "The Moor," was the Duke of Florence from 1531 to 1537. Born around 1510 or 1511, his parentage has been a subject of historical debate. Traditionally, it was believed that he was the illegitimate son of Lorenzo de' Medici, Duke of Urbino, and a servant named Simonetta da Collavechio. However, some historians argue that he might have been the son of Giulio de' Medici, who later became Pope Clement VII, and a black or mixed-race servant, making him one of the earliest known rulers of African descent in Western Europe.
Alessandro was placed under the protection of Pope Leo X, who was his uncle (or possibly his father), and later by Clement VII, who favored him over other Medici relatives. In 1523, Clement VII made Alessandro the head of the Medici family, and in 1531, after the siege of Florence, he was appointed Duke of Florence by the Emperor Charles V. This appointment came with the title of hereditary ruler, thus establishing the Medici Duchy.
During his rule, Alessandro was known for his autocratic style, which included heavy taxation, suppression of political dissent, and consolidation of power. His rule was marked by several controversies:
Alessandro was assassinated on January 6, 1537, by his cousin Lorenzino de' Medici, who lured him into a trap with the pretense of a romantic rendezvous. Lorenzino claimed he acted to liberate Florence from a tyrant. After his death, Cosimo I de' Medici succeeded him, becoming the Grand Duke of Tuscany.
Alessandro's legacy is complex; he is remembered both for his role in establishing the Medici's hereditary rule over Florence and for the contentious nature of his rule. His racial background, if confirmed as partly African, adds a layer of significance to his place in European history.