He was the son of Margrave Albert Azzo II of Milan and Gersenda, a sister of Count Hugh IV of Maine.

[2] After securing the southern border of Normandy and expelling the Normans, they invited young Hugh V to rule them as count of Maine.

Orderic Vitalis said of him "he was, indeed, an imbecile, a coward, and an idler, and totally unfit to hold the reins of government in so high a station.

"[3] After a short time holding the countship, his cousin Elias convinced Hugh to sell him the county, which he did.

[4] In 1077 Hugh married Heria, daughter of Robert Guiscard,[5] but after discovering he could not manage her either he repudiated her, was promptly excommunicated by Pope Urban II and died childless.