Hedwig was born about 1140 as a daughter of the Ballenstedt count Albert the Bear, first Margrave of Brandenburg from 1157, and his wife Countess Sophie of Winzenburg.

At the age of 15, she married Otto, son and heir of Margrave Conrad of Meissen, a member of the House of Wettin.

The conjugal union between the two Saxon dynasties ruling large estates in the Eastern March was probably arranged in view of the expansionist policies of Duke Henry the Lion.

This would provide the Margraves of Meissen with bailiwick rights over the location where they buried deceased family members and erected momrials.

Altzella was, due to its location, also an important starting point of residential development in Meissen.