Robert was the first-born son of the count of Auvergne William X and the countess of Boulogne Adelaide of Brabant.

In 1247, William X died and Robert inherited the county of Auvergne.

[1] The two guaranteed Robert that they would not demand any of the possessions he inherited from his father.

[4] The Parlement of Paris ruled that her title would be inherited by Robert's mother, Adelaide.

[citation needed] When she died, in 1265, the tile passed to Robert himself.