Count Bernadotte was a navy officer, and he became a member of the house of Lords when he became head of the comital family Bernadotte af Wisborg, upon the death of his brother, Count Carl Bernadotte af Wisborg, 1872. He succeeded Baron Gillis Bildt as prime minister 1889, and resigned from that office 1903, succeeded by Arvid Lindman. Oscar Bernadotte married 6 June 1857 in Biebrich to Princess Sophia of Nassau (1836-1913), daughter of Duke William I of Nassau and Pauline, née Princess of Württemberg. They had four sons: Count Oscar Bernadotte af Wisborg Count Eugen Bernadotte af Wisborg