He was heavily involved in the Guelph politics of Lombardy in the first decade of the 13th century, serving as podestà of Ferrara (1196, 1205, and 1208), Padua (1199), Verona (1206–1207), and Mantua (1207–1208 and 1210–1211).

His opponent responded by allying with Ezzelino II da Romano and drove Azzo away, but the next year (1206) he reconquered Fratta, which he held until 1209.

On 22 February 1204 Azzo married for the third time to Alice (also called Alix), daughter of Raynald of Châtillon, Prince of Antioch.

Rambertino celebrated Azzo's daughter Beatrice in all of his love songs, an overtly political act in the climate of the times.

In a contemporary vernacular vita of his daughter, the biography sums up Azzo's character and reputation: "he was beautiful of form, almost more than all other men.