Albert Azzo II, Margrave of Milan

Alberto Azzo II (997 or July 10, 1009, Modena – August 20, 1097, Modena), Margrave of Milan, and Liguria, Count of Gavello, Padua, Rovigo, Lunigiana, Monselice, and Montagnana, was a powerful nobleman in the Holy Roman Empire. He is considered the founder of Casa d'Este (House of Este), having been head of the first family to be master of Este, a town of Padua.
Life.
Alberto Azzo II was the only son of Albert Azzo I, Margrave of Milan and Adela of Milan. He inherited his father's offices around 1029, and continually increased his properties in northern Italy. Around 1073 he made a castle at Este his residence, from which the House of Este took its name. Before his building project, Este was little more than a village.
In the Investiture Controversy between Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor, and Pope Gregory VII, Azzo attempted to mediate, but later he joined the side of the pope. 
First marriage.
Azzo II married Kunigunde (also called Chuniza), the daughter of Welf II, Count of Altdorf, in 1035/6. Azzo's son with Chuniza, Welf, moved first to Carinthia and then to Bavaria, giving rise to one of the most important families in European history, the Guelphs. 
Second marriage.
Around 1050, Azzo married again, to Garsende, daughter of Herbert I, Count of Maine, around 1050. In 1069–1070, he tried to acquire Maine for his son Hugh, because his wife, Garsende, was a co-heiress of the previous counts of Maine. Hugh was declared count, but he could not prevail against Robert, the Duke of Normandy, who had been betrothed to the last heiress. Another son from this marriage, Fulk I of Milan, made the first documented use of the title "Marquis d'Este."
Issue.
With his first wife, Chuniza, Azzo had one known child:
With his second wife, Garsende, Azzo had two known sons:
Some sources say he also married Vitalia Orseolo, daughter of Peter Orseolo. They had a daughter: Itta.
He had an extra-marital affair with, or perhaps married, Matilda, sister of William/Guglielmo, Bishop of Pavia (r.1069-1102/3), with whom he had a daughter named Adelasia, who married Guglielmo Adelardi.
Death.
Alberto Azzo II was extremely long-lived. He lived to at least his 90s and was perhaps one hundred years old when he died. He died in August 1097 at the monastery of Vangadizza (Badia Polesine), where he was buried.