Doña Gracia

Project Overview

Doña Gracia Nasi’s husband owned a successful shipping company in Europe (1500’s) when he suddenly dies. Inheriting a vast fortune, Gracia transforms overnight into the head of a budding shipping empire, as a converso, with a limited understanding of the politics around her. The vultures gather around her – Kings, Popes, suitors, friends, enemies – using all means necessary to grab her fortune – all against the backdrop of the growing threat of The Inquisition. Gracia eventually comes to terms with her identity while constantly staying one step ahead of the danger that follows her. Throughout the story, Gracia reveals herself as a remarkable businesswoman and courageous leader using her wealth and connections to help those around her as she creates an underground smuggling operation to save thousands of her fellow Spanish and Portuguese conversos from the horrors of the Inquisition. Finally settling in Constantinople, she finds sanctuary with the Muslim Sultan Suleiman for the remainder of her life.