Elizabeth was the oldest child of John II, Count of Étampes, Nevers, Rethel and Eu, and his first wife Jacqueline d'Ailly.

[1] Since Elizabeth's younger brother died at the age of five years and her father thus had no sons, he appointed his eldest daughter to the heir of the counties of Nevers and Eu.

When her husband went to Guelders to support the Emperor's claim, Elizabeth led the government in Cleves during his absence.

Her claims to the counties of Nevers and Eu were inherited by her third son Engelbert, who founded the Cleves-Nevers line.

The top plate, commissioned by Charles of Egmond, depicts the two deceased and is one of the few pictures of Elizabeth.