She was the second daughter of Victor II, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg-Schaumburg-Hoym, and Princess Amelia of Nassau-Weilburg.

Adelheid married Duke Paul Frederick Augustus of Oldenburg on 24 July 1817 at Schaumburg Castle.

Duke Paul Frederick Augustus was the eldest son of Duke Peter of Oldenburg, heir to the Duchy of Oldenburg, and was thus second in line of succession after his father.

At the age of 20, and after three years of marriage, Princess Adelheid died suddenly on 13 September 1820 at Oldenburg.

She was buried at the Ducal Mausoleum, at Saint Gertrude’s Cemetery in Oldenburg.