Born in Naples to Ferdinand I and his first wife, Isabella of Taranto, the daughter of Tristan, Count of Capertino and Caterina Orsini, he succeeded his childless nephew Ferdinand II after the latter's early death in 1496, at the age of 28.
Born in Naples, he was the second son of Ferdinand I and his first wife, Isabella of Taranto (Isabel was the daughter of Tristan, Count of Capertino and Caterina Orsini). He succeeded his childless nephew Ferdinand II after the latter's early death in 1496, at the age of 28.