Marco Polo Family Tree: The Story Behind The Silk Road's Most-Famous Traveler

Marco Polo, born 15 September 1254 in Venice, Venetian Republic, was a Venetian merchant and explorer — spent 17 years (1271–1295) traveling in Asia, much of it in the court of Kublai Khan, the Mongol Emperor. The Travels of Marco Polo (c. 1300) became one of the most-influential books in Western exploration history — inspiring Columbus. He died 8 January 1324 at age 69.

The Family's Roots: A Venetian Merchant Family

The Polo family were established Venetian merchants based in the Cannaregio sestiere of Venice.

His Father and Uncle

Father: Niccolò Polo (c. 1230 – c. 1300) — Venetian merchant; traveled to China 1260–1269 (Marco was born during his absence); returned to Venice 1269 then went back to Asia with Marco 1271.

Uncle: Maffeo Polo (c. 1230 – c. 1310) — Niccolò's brother; merchant partner; accompanied them.

His Mother

Marco's mother died while Marco was still young (between 1254 and 1260); Niccolò left for Asia shortly after.

His Wife: Donata Badoer

Donata Badoer — Venetian noblewoman; married Marco after his return to Venice (c. 1300).

Their Daughters

Fantina Polo — Marco's daughter.

Bellela Polo — Marco's daughter.

Moreta Polo — Marco's daughter.

The Polo Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Niccolò Polo (c. 1230 – c. 1300) — Venetian merchant.

Uncle: Maffeo Polo (c. 1230 – c. 1310).

Mother: Died when Marco was young.

Wife: Donata Badoer (married c. 1300).

Daughters: Fantina; Bellela; Moreta.

Marco Polo:

  • Born 15 September 1254, Venice
  • Father and uncle traveled to Asia 1260–1269 (during Marco's early childhood)
  • Returned to Venice 1269; departed for Asia again 1271 with 17-year-old Marco
  • 17-year stay in Asia (1271–1295): traveled the Silk Road through Acre, Hormuz, Pamirs, Kashgar, Yarkand, Khotan; entered China via the Mongol Empire; arrived at Kublai Khan's court 1275
  • Worked as a special envoy of Kublai Khan: visited Yunnan, Burma, Tibet, India, and southern China; possibly governor of Yangzhou for 3 years
  • Returned to Venice 1295 via Sumatra, Ceylon, India, Hormuz
  • Captured by Genoese forces during the Venice–Genoa War, 1298–1299
  • The Travels of Marco Polo dictated to Rustichello da Pisa while in prison together (1298–99)
  • Released 1299; returned to Venice; lived as a successful merchant for the rest of his life
  • Died 8 January 1324, Venice, age 69

What the Polo Family Story Teaches Us

A father who was absent for the first 15 years of Marco's life. An uncle who was his father's business partner. A mother who died while Marco was young. A wife and three daughters in Marco's settled second half of life. A career that produced one of the most-influential travel books in history.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Marco story carries the same lesson. Some families operate as merchant partnerships across continents.

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