Wolfgang was the son of
Philip Louis, Count Palatine of Neuburg, and
Anna of Jülich-Cleves-Berg, a daughter of
William, Duke of Jülich-Cleves-Berg. Wolfgang's uncle,
John William, Duke Julich-Cleves-Berg had no heirs, so Wolfgang Wilhelm rushed to secure the duchies for himself. Neuburg was small and weak, surrounded by stronger powers like
Bavaria and the
Electoral Palatinate. Acquiring the Jülich succession would not only provide more land but also enrich the Neuburg economy. Despite his
Lutheran religious status, Wolfgang personally traveled to
Prague to seek the Emperor's support. He also tried to gain the support of
France and
England, but these efforts were unsuccessful. Wolfgang eventually entered negotiations with his main rival over the succession,
Johann Sigismund of Brandenburg, and agreed to the
Treaty of Dortmund in 1609. However, this treaty would break down when he converted to
Catholicism before his marriage to Magdalene of Bavaria in 1613. Wolfgang eventually agreed to settle the
War of the Jülich Succession with his rival claimant, and thus became the first ruler of
Palatinate-Neuburg who was also Duke of
Jülich and
Berg. In 1615, he was made a Knight in the
Order of the Golden Fleece. Because he practiced a strict policy of neutrality in the
Thirty Years' War, his territories escaped widespread destruction. Wolfgang moved his residence to
Düsseldorf in 1636 and attempted to stabilize and spread Catholicism in his lands. In 1651, disputes over church property led to the short
Düsseldorf Cow War. When Wolfgang died, his son,
Phillip William, inherited his lands. ==Marriage and issue==