Catherine Cornaro was a Venetian noblewoman born in 1454. She became the Queen of Cyprus through her marriage to King James II of Cyprus. After his death, she ruled as regent and played a significant role in the island's politics during a turbulent period. In 1489, Catherine ceded her kingdom to the Republic of Venice, which marked the end of the independent rule of Cyprus. She spent her later years in Venice, where she lived in a palace and was known for her patronage of the arts. Catherine Cornaro passed away in 1510.