After the defeat of his brother Mieszko II Lambert in 1032, Otto received a part of Poland to rule but died shortly after.
However, because Poland became a kingdom, the country could not be divided, and in consequence Otto received nothing from his father's legacy.
The sole heir of Bolesław was Mieszko II Lambert, his eldest son from his marriage to Emnilda.
Possibly as a result of this he was allegedly disliked by his father, who determined that Mieszko II was to be his sole heir.
In 1031 a combined attack of Kievan and German forces led to the downfall of Mieszko II, who had to flee to Bohemia.