7He was the first person to have an autobiography published during his lifetime

Despite, or maybe because of his interesting personality, Italians adored Michelangelo, both during his time and after. He was known as “Il Divino”, or the Divine, and everyone wanted to know the facts of his life, or at least a colorful recounting of them.

This is likely what led Michelangelo to publish not one, but two full length autobiographies in his lifetime.