Duchy of Mantua
Eleonora was born on 18 November 1630 in Mantua, as the second child of Charles Gonzaga, styled Duke of Nevers (heir of the Duchy of Mantua) and his wife and cousin Maria Gonzaga (heiress to the Duchy of Montferrat). On her father's side her grandparents were Charles Gonzaga, Duke of Nevers and Rethel and Catherine of Mayenne –a member of the House of Lorraine– and on her mother's side her grandparents were Francesco IV Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua and Margaret of Savoy.