Gianfrancesco Gonzaga was the third son of Ludovico III Gonzaga, Marquess of Mantua and Barbara of Brandenburg. He was the first Count of Sabbioneta from 1479 until his death, originating the later Princely Gonzaga-Sabbioneta, Gonzaga-Bozzolo, Gonzaga-Gazzuolo and Gonzaga-San Martino lines of the Gonzaga family.