His parents were the German anti-king
Hermann of Salm and his wife
Sophia of Formbach. Around 1115, he married
Gertrude, the widow of Count Palatine
Siegfried of Ballenstedt, daughter and heir of
Henry, Margrave of Frisia and
Gertrude of Brunswick. Gertrude was also the sister of
Richenza of Northeim, the consort of Emperor
Lothair III. Otto constructed
Rheineck Castle and from , he styled himself
Otto of Rheineck, after his castle. After his stepson Count Palatine
William of the Rhine had died in 1140, he claimed the County Palatine of the Rhine. However, King
Conrad III of Germany, who had been elected in 1138, decided that the County Palatine was a completed fief, and hence fell back to the King, who gave it to his brother-in-law and devoted supporter
Hermann von Stahleck. Otto managed to keep
Treis Castle until 1148, and Rheineck Castle until 1151. In 1148, war broke out between Otto and the Emperor. The Emperor took Treis Castle in 1148, and gave it to the Elector of
Trier. In 1151, he captured and destroyed Rheineck Castle. == Family ==