Why did Miguel de Cervantes struggle financially for much of his life?

Miguel de Cervantes struggled financially throughout his life due to a combination of professional instability, economic hardship in Spain, and his own temperament. Upon returning to Spain after his military service and captivity, he found that the cost of living had risen while his war record failed to provide the expected financial security.1

His career path was marked by "tedious and exacting employment" rather than literary success. He served as a royal messenger and a commissary of provisions for the Spanish Armada, roles that involved complex financial responsibilities. His inability to balance these accounts led to repeated litigation, salary arrears, and even imprisonment. Furthermore, Cervantes was not temperamentally suited for business, and his attempts to secure administrative posts in the Spanish empire were largely unsuccessful.12

Even after achieving fame with Don Quixote, he faced financial limitations because he had sold the publishing rights to the first part, leaving him dependent on patronage to supplement his income. Throughout his later years, he remained plagued by domestic difficulties and ongoing legal disputes over money.3