In his early life he had gone to Castile and entered the service of Don Juan de Guzmán, brother of Enrique de Guzmán, 2nd Duke of Medina Sidonia.
He had been regaining power while his rival, the Duke of Medina Sidonia, initially the main Isabella supporter in Andalusia, had been falling into dishonour.
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Born out of wedlock his birth was later legitimized by the "Reyes Católicos" Ferdinand and Isabella, and consequently the right to inherit the title.
He was succeeded as Count of Olivares by his son, Enrique de Guzmán, 2nd Count of Olivares, the father of Gaspar de Guzmán, Count-Duke of Olivares.