Otto was the Count of Are-Neuenahr from 1221 until 1231. Otto was the younger son of Count Gerhard I of Are-Nürburg. In 1221 his father died and partitioned his territories between the brothers Otto and Theodoric. Otto called his new state Neuenahr, and began the construction of a castle of the same name the following year. Otto died in 1231 and was succeeded by his son Gerhard II.