Margherita Datini 

Margherita Datini (1360/1423), marries Francesco Datini,  she is an extraordinary woman who, in a period when social roles are the prerogative of men, succeeds in building an uncommon destiny as an  entrepreneur and administrator.

Margherita and Francesco, who is a successful rich tradesman, get married in Avignone, where they reside; she is 16, he is 41. They move to Prato and Francesco spends most of his time in Florence, in Pisa or in other branches of his mercantile company, for business. Because of the distance, a rich correspondence arises between the partners (1384),  a correspondence which will last up to Francesco’s death (1410). Letter exchange brings out Margherita’s personality: it’s her who oversees the construction works of the rich mansion, the estates administration, debt collection, but above all maintaining relationships between her husband’s partners and allies, by reinforcing those bonds of mutual respect which are the basis of the mercantile activity. Francesco confirms his trust in her, but meanwhile he gives her directions, he is worried she can forget some tasks, he blames and criticizes her. Margherita, firmly stands up to him, arguing and underlining her “good work”; on one hand her solitude, her fears transpire from her letters, on the other hand the profile of a strong, practical, serene and balanced woman who decides to learn how to write is strongly outlined, a woman who, though not having her own children, welcomes and brings up her husband’s  only daughter with love; a woman who cares about her husband’s good soul towards which she always shows loving understanding. Francesco will recognize his wife’s merits in his testament and, on her advice, he will leave poor people a large part of his inheritance. Margherita, a woman entrepreneur from a distant time, appears close and modern to us: as the subtitle of Chiara Frugoni’s book states, Intrepid, Fearless and Bold.