[citation needed] Ludwig Wilhelm was born in Burgsteinfurt, Electorate of Hanover on 1 August 1812 and was the eldest son and child of Alexius, Prince of Bentheim and Steinfurt (1781–1866) and his wife Princess Wilhelmine of Solms-Braunfels (1793–1865).

[citation needed] From 1844, Ludwig Wilhelm was made Rittmeister à la suite of the Royal Hanoverian Regiments Garde du Corps and rose to major in 1849.

In 1866, Ludwig Wilhelm succeeded his father as head of the Princely House of Bentheim and Steinfurt.

Following Hanover's annexation by Prussia, Ludwig Wilhelm served as a member of Westphalian Provincial Council.

After 1884, Ludwig Wilhelm was represented at the Württembergian Chamber of Lords in Stuttgart by his son, Alexis.