Cosimo de' Medici

This article is about the founder of the Medici dynasty. For the Grand Duke of Tuscany, see Cosimo I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany.

Cosimo di Giovanni de' Medici
Portrait by Bronzino
Lord of Florence
Reign	5 September 1434 – 1 August 1464
Predecessor	Rinaldo degli Albizzi
Successor	Piero the Gouty
Full name Còsimo di Giovanni degli Mèdici
Born	27 September 1389 Florence, Republic of Florence
Died	1 August 1464(1464-08-01) (aged 74) Careggi, Republic of Florence
Noble family	Medici
Spouse(s)	Contessina de' Bardi
Issue Piero the Gouty Giovanni de' Medici Carlo di Cosimo de' Medici (illegitimate)
Father	Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici
Mother	Piccarda Bueri

Cosimo di Giovanni de' Medici, called "the Elder" (Italian: il Vecchio) and posthumously "Father of the Fatherland" (Latin: pater patriae) (10 April 1389 – 1 August 1464), was an Italian banker and politician, the first member of the Medici political dynasty that served as de facto rulers of Florence during much of the Italian Renaissance.