Ottomar Berbig was an antiques dealer in West Berlin in 1978 when an elderly woman entered his store wanting to sell heirlooms.
[1] Once formally adopted, the newly renamed "Prince Kretzulesco" proved adroit at exploiting his 'Dracula lineage'.
From his 46-room palace located in the town of Schenkendorf (Brandenburg), he organized so-called "blood-sucking parties" in conjunction with the German Red Cross at which guests were invited to donate blood.
Likewise he entertained numerous other charity events including medieval festivals and ghost story-telling evenings.
[2] He also set up a wine business, marketing under the Castle of Dracula label, and became a local councillor, at one time proclaiming the town of Schenkendorf 'Dracula's Principality'.