He was the son of Obizzo II d'Este and Jacopina Fieschi, the niece of Pope Adrian V. Aldobrandino became lord of Ferrara at the death of his elder brother Azzo VIII, and renounced the rights to Modena and Reggio.
He was the son of Obizzo II d'Este and Jacopina Fieschi, the niece of Pope Adrian V. Aldobrandino succeeded as lord of Ferrara upon his elder brother Azzo VIII's demise, relinquishing claims to Modena and Reggio.