She was born in Venice in 1454 and was the daughter of a well-known and powerful family of Venice the Cornaro, a family. That had produced four Doggies. Her family had long associations with Cyprus, especially with regards to trade and commerce. In Episkopi area, in the district of Limassol the Cornaro family administered various sugar-mils and exported Cypriot products to Venice.

Ι n 1468, James II otherwise known as James the Bastard became King and chooses Caterina for a wife and Queen of the Kingdom of Cyprus. Th e Kings choice was extremely pleasing the Republic of Venice as it could henceforth secure the commercials and other privileges of Venice in Cyprus.

In 1473, after sudden illness, James II died and according to the wishes in his will the Queen who at the time was pregnant, acted as Regent. A few months later, a son and heir was born but unfortunately James III died before he was even a year old. Caterina Cornaro ruled Cyprus from 1474 to 1489 but was forced to cede the administration of the country to the Republic of Venice. Finally she was obliged to live the island on the 14th of May 1489. Upon her return to Venice she was led to Asolo where she lived until her death in 1510.

This marked the end of the medieval kingdom of Cyprus.

“On the 14 th of February, the Queen dressed in black and accompanied by the Barons and their ladies, set off on horseback. Six knights held her horse ‘s reins. From the moment she left Nicosia, her eyes kept streaming with tears. Upon her departure, the whole population was bewailing”.

George Boustronios,