Francisco de Borja Álvarez de Toledo, 16th Duke of Medina Sidonia

Francisco de Borja Álvarez de Toledo y Gonzaga, 12th Marquis of Villafranca (9 June 1763 – 12 February 1821) inherited the title of Marquis of Villafranca and Duke of Medina Sidonia from his elder brother José Álvarez de Toledo, Duke of Alba in 1796, as well as becoming the 14th Marquis of Cazaza, 10th Duke of Bivona and 12th Marquis of Los Vélez.

Early life Álvarez de Toledo was born on 9 June 1763 in Madrid, Spain. He was a younger son of Antonio Álvarez de Toledo, 10th Marquis of Villafranca del Bierzo and Princess Maria Antonia Gonzaga y Caracciolo. Among his siblings was elder brother, José Álvarez de Toledo, jure uxoris Duke of Alba (from his marriage to María del Pilar Teresa Cayetana de Silva y Álvarez de Toledo, 13th Duchess of Alba),

After his marriage, he was appointed head equerry to the Princess of Asturias, María Antonia of Naples, the first wife of the future King Ferdinand VII. On 28 January 1798 in Madrid, he was married to María Tomasa Palafox y Portocarrero (1780–1835), the daughter of Felipe Antonio de Palafox Croy and Maria Francisca de Sales de Guzmán, Countess of Montijo, Grandee of Spain. Together, they had six children, two girls and four boys, including: José María Alvarez de Toledo y Palafox (1812–1885), a twin; he married María del Carmen Lucía de Acuña y Dewitte, 9th Marchioness of Casa Fuerte, a daughter of Manuel Lorenzo de Acuña, 9th Marquess of Gramedo, 10th Marquess of Bedmar, and María Antónia Antonia de Witte (a daughter of Carlos José de Witte y Pau), in 1837. Ignacio Álvarez de Toledo Palafox (1812–1878), a twin; Maestrante of Sevilla.

Álvarez died on 12 February 1821, predeceased by his eldest son, and was, therefore, succeeded by his second son, Pedro. His widow died at Portici, Italy, on 14 October 1835.

Ancestry