He was the only son of Philip, heir to the Duchy of Burgundy, and Joan I, heiress of Auvergne and Boulogne.

Philip succeeded his grandmother in the County of Burgundy (Franche-Comté) and Artois when he was only one year old.

In 1355, Philip married Margaret, daughter of Louis de Mâle, Count of Flanders.

In 1361 at the age of 15, Philip died, either of the plague[4] or from injuries suffered in a riding accident,[5] before he could consummate his marriage to Margaret.

With his death, King John II of France claimed the duchy for the kingdom of France,[5] making his youngest son Philip the Bold royal lieutenant-general by 27 June 1363 and duke of Burgundy by June 1364.