Leopold (29 August 1790 – 24 April 1852) succeeded in 1830 as the Grand Duke of Baden, reigning until his death in 1852.
Although a younger child, Leopold is the first son of Margrave Karl Friederich of Baden by his second, morganatic wife, Louise Karoline Geyer von Geyersberg.
Since Luise Karoline is not of equal birth with the Margrave, the marriage is deemed morganatic and the resulting children are perceived as incapable of inheriting their father's dynastic status or the sovereign rights of the Zähringen House of Baden.
Luise Karoline and her children are given the titles of baron and baroness, in 1796 count or countess von Hochberg.
Baden gains territory during the Napoleonic Wars.
As a result, Margrave Karl Friederich is elevated to the title of Prince-Elector within the Holy Roman Empire.
With the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806, he takes the title Grand Duke of Baden.