The Sfondrati family were important political and religious leaders in Italy.

The Sfondrati family was founded by Francesco Sfondrati (1493-1550) and his wife Anna Visconti de Madrone (died 1535). The Sfondrati were of Spanish descent, and had lived in Cremona before settling in Milan. Francesco trained as a lawyer and taught at the University of Pavia. He became involved in politics, and was eventually made Count of Riviera di Lecco in 1537. After the death of his wife in 1538, Sfondrati entered service to the Church and became cardinal. Francesco and Anna had seven children. Of these, his sons Niccolò and Paolo were the most prominent. Like his father, Niccolò joined the Church, becoming a cardinal in 1583 and then being elevated to pope as Gregory XIV (1590-1591). Niccolò's brother, Paolo, was Baron of Valassina and Count of Riviera. Paolo's sons continued the family's legacy as political, military, and religious leaders: Ercole became Duke of Montemarciano, Francesco a general in the papal forces and marchese of Montafia, and Paolo Emilio a cardinal and papal secretary of state. The last male member of the family was Carlo Sfondrati, Count of Riviera (died 1788).