Contessa Erica Alexandra Del Portenza was, for a time, the wife of Lex Luthor.
History
Contessa Erica Alexandra Del Portenza, or 'The Contessa' as she was better known, appeared in Metropolis after the public discrediting of Lex Luthor, after which, she assumed leadership of LexCorp and won a controlling stake in the International LexCorp. One of her first actions was to dismiss Team Luthor and create a new security force: The Centurions, who had worked with Alpha Centurion. The Contessa was the patron of Dimitri Potempkin, considered dead for many years, who gave up his career for love of the Contessa.
Although it was known that she knew Lex Luthor about 20 years, she still looked young. Once Lex regained consciousness after clearing his name, he was ultimately forced to marry the Contessa to regain control of his company. Although she ultimately became pregnant by this relationship, the two never actually loved each other, simply playing elaborate games to gain more power and control over their shared resources. She donated the tissue needed for a new containment suit for Superman, created by Professor Hamilton and Kitty Faulkner for him to survive when he became an energy being. After the birth of her and Lex's daughter Lena, Luthor sedated the Contessa and kept her in a hospital to ensure that he wouldn't have to share the daughter with anybody. She eventually emerged from the coma and escaped when there was a big fire in the building, in which the outside world thought she had perished. She teamed up with Dabney Donovan to kidnap her daughter from Lex. Although Lex recovered the child, the Contessa waited in the shadows, content to know that Luthor knew she was alive.
Later, she was forced to go into hiding when it was discovered that the Contessa and her lineage can, in fact, live many years. However, her son Luca (from a previous marriage) turned into a killing machine, willing to bring death to those he considered unworthy of life. Although the Contessa took steps to stop her son, he was stopped due to the intervention of Superman and a combination of magic that involves Lena Luthor and the Contessa. Again, Lena returned to the arms of her father and the Contessa went into hiding. During his efforts to become the U.S. President, Luthor decided to tie up loose ends, organizing the death of the Contessa with a barrage of missiles on her island mansion.
Powers and Abilities
Abilities
Related
- 55 Appearances of Erica Alexandra del Portenza (New Earth)
- 2 Images featuring Erica Alexandra del Portenza (New Earth)
- 1 Quotations by or about Erica Alexandra del Portenza (New Earth)
- Character Gallery: Erica Alexandra del Portenza (New Earth)
Footnotes
  This character has been primarily an enemy of Superman in any of his various incarnations, or members of the Superman Family. This template will categorize articles that include it into the "Superman Villains category." |
  This character is or was primarily an enemy of Superboy. This template will categorize articles that include it into the category "Superboy Villains." |
 This character is or was primarily an enemy of Young Justice. This template will categorize articles that include it into the category "Young Justice Villains." |