The son of Franconian count Henry of Speyer (also Henry of Worms) and Adelaide of Metz of the "Matfriding dynasty", that had ruled the Duchy of Lorraine from 959 until 972, Conrad inherited the titles of count of Speyer and Worms during childhood after his father had died around the year 990. He extended his influence beyond his inherited lands, as he came into favor of the princes of the kingdom. When the imperial dynastic line was left without a successor after Emperor Henry II's death in 1024, on September 4 an assembly of the imperial princes appointed the 34 year-old Conrad king ("Rex romanorum").