Gracia Mendes Nasi

Gracia Mendes Nasi, born as Beatriz de Luna Miques, was a prominent Portuguese Sephardi Jewish businesswoman and philanthropist. Born in 1510, she rose to become one of the most influential and wealthiest women in Renaissance Europe. As a member of the esteemed Mendes Benveniste family, she played a significant role in the business world, earning the respect and admiration of her peers, who affectionately referred to her as Doña Gracia or La Señora, "The Lady".

Following the death of her spouse, Gracia Mendes Nasi took the reins of the family's banking and trading enterprise, Casa Mendes-Benveniste, which had a vast reach across Europe and the Mediterranean. Under her leadership, the company continued to thrive, solidifying her position as a leading figure in the business world. Her nephew, Joseph Nasi, who was also her business partner, went on to become a notable figure in the Ottoman Empire, further expanding the family's influence and reputation. Gracia Mendes Nasi passed away in 1569, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering businesswoman and a testament to her enduring impact on the world of commerce.