Inés de Bobadilla

Who was Inés de Bobadilla?

Inés de Bobadilla sometimes Isabel de Bobadilla was the daughter of Pedro Arias Dávila and Isabel de Bobadilla, she married, in 1537, Hernando de Soto who was then named governor of Cuba and Adelantado de Florida. Her husband leaving Cuba for his expedition in Florida, from 1539 to 1543, she became the only woman governor of Cuba. The Castillo de la Real Fuerza in Cuba has a statue on its watchtower, representing a woman, La Giraldilla. It is suggested that it was placed there to honor Inès de Bobadilla who is said to have watched every day the return of her husband.she married hernando de soto in 1537