Olimpia Ludovisi

Who is Olimpia Ludovisi?

Olimpia Ludovisi was the eldest daughter of Niccolò Ludovisi and his third wife Costanza Pamphili. Through her mother she was the grand-niece of Pope Innocent X and through her father she was the grand-niece of Pope Gregory XV. Her paternal grandparents were Orazio Ludovisi and his wife Lavinia Albergati. Her cousin was Olimpia Aldobrandini.

Unlike her two sisters Lavinia and Ippolita, Olimpia did not marry, instead she dedicated her life to the church as nun. In 1699, Olimpia's older brother Giovan Battista Ludovisi died and left his estate to his newborn son Niccolo. However, the young child died 1700 and Olimpia succeeded being the closest surviving paternal relative.

Olimpia inherited all fiefs including Piombino. She was only the second ever Princess of Piombino to rule in her own right after Isabella Appiani. Olimpia remained a nun after her accession.

Olimpia only reigned for several months until she died on 27 November 1700. As she left no children, the succession passed to her only surviving sibling Ippolita.