Team Otto III Button

Otto III became Holy Roman Emperor aged just 3, after his father died from malaria. His mother, Theophanu, acted as his regent until she too died, and his paternal grandmother Adelaide of Italy became regent. Otto spent most of his adult reign battling over the city of Rome, and who should be the Pope. After falling ill with a fever he died aged just 21, possibly from malaria (which had also killed his father). He was childless, his proposed bride had only just landed in Italy on her journey to their wedding. As a result his cousin became Holy Roman Emperor Heinrich II.