Princess Heide von Hohenzollern, née Hansen, was born and raised in Munich, Germany. She married Prince Godehard von Hohenzollern in 1970 and had two children.

In 1988, the prince inherited the 14th-century Namedy Castle set along the Rhine River, and Princess Heide moved in with her husband and children the following year. Due to the immense cost of its upkeep, the couple originally planned to sell the property. However, their mutual love for classical music inspired them to open the castle’s doors to the public and host musical programs including the Andernach Music Festival, the inaugural event of which drew funding and attention with the support of violin virtuoso Yehudi Menuhin.

After her husband’s death in 2001, Princess Heide and her highly motivated team carried on promoting the venue. In 2010, her daughter, Anna, was brought on to help handle media and press. Today, the castle holds on average more than 150 events every year.