She was born in Arolsen, in Waldeck, in Germany.
On 27 April 1882 in St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, she married HRH Prince Leopold George Duncan Albert of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Albany, Earl of Clarence and Baron Arklow, the youngest son of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.
They had two children, HRH Princess Alice of Albany (1883-1981), and HRH Prince Charles Edward, 2nd Duke of Albany and reigning Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1884-1954).
Princess Helen of Waldeck-Pyrmont died in Hinterris in the Tyrol, in Austria.