Of Sicilian origin, Miguel de la Grúa Talamanca rose to become captain general of the Spanish army. He was a protégé of Spanish Prime Minister Manuel de Godoy, and married in Madrid, August 15, 1790 to Godoy's sister, María Antonia de Godoy y Álvarez de Faria, de los Ríos y Sánchez-Zarzosa (Badajoz – Genoa, July 25, 1836), 21st Noble Dame of the Royal Order of Queen María Luisa. Their daughter Carlota de la Grúa-Talamanca de Carini y Godoy, Branciforte y Álvarez de Faria, was made the 268th Noble Dame of the Royal Order of Queen María Luisa. At some point prior to his appointment as Viceroy, the crown rewarded Miguel de la Grúa Talamanca with the title Marqués de Branciforte, 1st of that line.