Born on 17 May 1500, he had the dubious honour of having Cesare Borgia as his godfather and, in 1502, arrangements began to have Federico Gonzaga engaged to the only legitimate daughter of Cesare. 
However, after the death of his father, Pope Alexander VI, Cesare was imprisoned but escaped and was killed in a fight. 

Federico's father, Gian Francesco, suffered from syphilis and became imprisoned in Venice. As a result it was his mother, Isabella d'Este, who governed Mantua. While imprisoned, his father wanted Federico to be sent to Venice as a hostage so he himself could return to Mantua, but Federico's mother refused. She also refused to send him to France as this would tie Mantua to the King of France. However, 
Federico was sent away as a hostage, but to Rome, after initial refusals of his mother as she feared Federico would be introduced to sodomy which was rampant at the Papal Court. It was the price they had to pay for the release of Gian Francesco, Federico's father.

However, when Gian Francesco returned, he was still not free, having to consider the Pope, who still had his son and heir in Rome, as well as the king of France. Pope Julius II died on 21 February 1513 
after which Federico was allowed to return home. On 1 January 1515, King Louis XII of France died and his successor renewed the wars in Italy and, after a French victory, Federico was sent to the new French king, Francois I, to congratulate him. Having the same interests as the King---women, hunting, dancing and gambling---Federico soon became a favourite. 

In 1519 his father died and Federico II became Lord of Mantua. He made Isabella, "La Boschetta", his mistress and she played a part in his affairs for the rest of his life. His mother, feeling ignored, moved to Rome where she tried to secure her other son, Ercole, a Cardinal's hat. Having been engaged to Maria of Montferrato for many years, at one stage the engagement was broken off; but then, after a death in her family, she was likely to become a rich heiress and so the engagement was revived. After having waited many years, she was ready to go to Mantua for her marriage, but before departing she died. 
Quietly Maria was replaced by her sister Margherita. In 1530, after payment of fifty thousand scudi, Emperor Charles V made Federico Duke of Mantua. 

He was an incredible collector, sending his agents to harbour cities to buy animals from foreign traders. He wanted panthers to train for the hunt, ostriches, and many other rare and exotic animals. He even obtained crocodiles. He was interested in gardens and plants as well as in monsters, preferably living ones, otherwise depicted in drawings and etchings such as the two-headed baby by Albrect Duerer. 
On 13 February 1539 his mother died and, after his syphilis had flared up again, he himself died fifteen months later on 28 June 1540. 
 

Source: Leo van de Pas