He was the youngest son of Henry V, Duke of Mecklenburg, and Helen of the Palatinate, a daughter of Philip, Elector Palatine.

As a result of an injury at a tournament he was mentally ill for many years.

After Henry V's death in 1552, he lived at the court of Duke Ulrich of Mecklenburg in Güstrow, where he died.

Whether he ruled actively is questionable in the light of his disability.

This article about a member of the German nobility is a stub.