He was born in Ischia, the cousin of Francesco Ferdinando I d´Ávalos, inheriting his titles after 1525, fighting the French and the Venetians by his side. During the period 1526-1528 he fought under Hugo of Moncada, being captured in 1528 by the Genoese admiral Andrea Doria. Having fought at the Battle of Pavia, he later represented Spain as Ambassador, in 1538, on the succession to the new Doge of the Republic of Venice, Pietro Lando. He married in 1523 with Maria d'Aragona and had 5 children including