He was a son of Francesco and Margareta Malpigli and grew up in Florence until 1413, when his uncle Antonio I called him and his brother Nerio II to Greece to live at his court.
Era o fillo de Francesco e Margareta Malpigli e criouse en Florencia até 1413, cando o seu tío Antonio I o chamou xunto ao seu irmán Nerio II a Grecia para vivir na súa corte.