Bernhard was the second son from the first marriage of Margrave Ernest of Baden-Profzheim with Elisabeth of Brandenburg-Ansbach-Kulmbach.

Like his older brother Albert, Bernard has been attributed a dissolute life, and been described as a wild creature.

His bad reputation halted negotiations between his father and the Duke of Cleves, brother of the fourth wife of King Henry VIII of England, Anne of Cleves, for him to marry the Duke's other sister Amelia.

After his brother Albert died in 1542, his father forgave him his earlier opposition and promised him he would inherit Lower Baden.

However, his rule lasted only a few months, as he died unexpectedly on 20 January 1553.