Adolf was a son of Count Henry III and of Mechthild of Cuyk-Arnsberg.
The brother to marry Sophia eventually turned out to be Otto.
In 1276 Adolf fell from Otto's favour and became a priest, at first a canon (domheer) of Liège Cathedral, and later a provost (domproost) in the cathedrals of Trier and Utrecht.
On the death of William II, Adolf was initially his intended successor as bishop of Utrecht but, under pressure from count John II of Holland, Adolf found his claims overridden in favour of appointing John's brother Guy of Avesnes.
Through Pope Boniface VIII he was granted the bishopric of Liège instead, but he died shortly afterwards.