He was the third son of Leopold, Grand Duke of Baden and Princess Sophie of Sweden.

Due to his brother's mental ill-health, he was regent ad interim of Baden in 1852–1855, and took the title of grand duke in 1856.

In 1896 he met Theodor Herzl (the founder of political Zionism) via their mutual acquaintance the reverend William Hechler, and helped Herzl in obtaining an audience with his nephew Wilhelm II, German Emperor.

It took place in Palestine on 2 November 1898, during the emperor's visit to inaugurate the Church of the Redeemer, Jerusalem.

Frederick I was present at the proclamation of the German Empire at Versailles in 1871,[2] as he was the only son-in-law of Prussian King Wilhelm I and one of the reigning sovereigns of Germany.