Diogo Mendes Nassi

• Donna Gracia and Mendes Family

Born Marano in Lisbon Portugal. His Jewish Hebrew name was Meir Benveniste. Was brother-in -law of Dona Gracia Mendes-Nassi, whose husband and his brother was Francisco Mendes, a member of the well-known Nasi family. At the head of the branch of Francisco's bank, which he had established at Antwerp, was his younger brother, Diego Mendes. When the Inquisition was introduced into Portugal the chief business of the firm was relegated to Antwerp, and many of the Maranos of Portugal, fearing the Holy Office, came and settled in this city.

Anthony John Davis wrote:
According to the book 'The Woman Who Defied Kings", Diogo's birth is put at 1485.