Miguel de la Grúa Talamanca de Carini y Branciforte, 1st Marquess of Branciforte, (Italian: Michele La Grua Talamanca e Branciforte), (Palermo, Sicily, ca 1755 – Marseille, June 1, 1812) was an Italian military officer of the Spanish Empire, who served as 53rd Viceroy of New Spain from July 12, 1794, to May 31, 1798. Branciforte is remembered as the most corrupt viceroy of New Spain, and his designation is considered the beginning of the decadence of the viceroyalty of New Spain. He was the only viceroy of non-Spanish origin. Family history Son of Vincenzo Maria La Grua Talamanca (1718-1787), 5th Prince of Carini, Duke of Villanova, Duke of Grotte, Marquess of Ragalmici and Lord of Terrasini, Praetor of Palermo in 1771, 1772 and 1773, Governor of Monte di Pietà of Palermo in 1765, 1766 and 1767. His mother was Lucrezia Branciforte. Because he was the second son, Miguel de la Grúa Talamanca undertakes a military career at the Spanish court, being the King of Sicily also King of Spain. He rose to become captain general of the Spanish army. He was a protégé of Spanish Prime Minister Manuel de Godoy, and married in Madrid, August 15, 1790 to Godoy's sister, María Antonia de Godoy y Álvarez de Faria, de los Ríos y Sánchez-Zarzosa (Badajoz – Genoa, July 25, 1836), 21st Noble Dame of the Royal Order of Queen María Luisa. Their daughter Carlota de la Grúa Talamanca y Godoy, was made the 268th Noble Dame of the Royal Order of Queen María Luisa. At some point prior to his appointment as Viceroy, the crown rewarded Miguel de la Grúa Talamanca with the title Marqués de Branciforte, 1st of that line. By June 1787, Grúa was Governor of the Canary Islands, residing in Santa Cruz, Tenerife. The Palazzo Branciforte was the family's principal "town house" in Palermo, Sicily, and dates from the late 1500s. The structure has been preserved, restored and repurposed, and is today a public space housing a museum, library and other tenants. Career in colonial México The Marqués de Branciforte was sent by Godoy to head the government of the Viceroyalty of New Spain, taking office on March 26, 1794. He arrived in Veracruz on June 15, 1794, and took possession of the government in Mexico City on July 12, 1794. After his arrival in New Spain he was made a member of the Order of the Golden