Countess Calixta of Lippe-Biesterfeld was born in Potsdam as the eldest child of Count Friedrich Wilhelm of Lippe-Biesterfeld (son of Julius, Count of Lippe-Biesterfeld) and his wife Countess Gisela Berta Adelheid Klothilde Emma Klementine of Ysenburg and Büdingen in Meerholz. Her father was a colonel with the Prussian army. In 1905, her father assumed princely rank, causing Calixta to be granted the rank of princess with the style Her Serene Highness.
Calixta and Marie Adelheid were also first cousins-once removed of Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld, consort of Juliana of the Netherlands. Calixta and Waldemar resided in Bavaria for most of but were at castle in Kamenz in Silesia as the war ended. In the spring of 1945, the couple fled to Tutzing from approaching Russian troops, as Calixta was unwilling to leave him at the mercy of the Red Army, despite Waldemar being in the throes of an attack of haemophilia.
After a long and painfully debilitating journey through Prague, they finally reached Tutzing, a few miles south of Munich, where Waldemar received a blood transfusion.
The American army overran the area the following day, and diverted all medical resources and supplies to treat nearby concentration camp victims. Consequently, these actions prevented Waldemar"s German doctor from treating him.
There, Waldemar died on 2 May 1945 from blood loss, due to a lack of blood transfusion facilities. She was alone, however, when she undressed her husband"s body in preparation for burial, and was attacked by a burglar and robbed of Waldemar"s clothes and pajamas.
She soon discovered that the coffin was too small, as her husband"s elbows would not fit into the space below the lid.
The following day, she was forced to break her husband"s arms, successfully sealing the lid of the coffin and laying him to rest. Titles and styles 14 October 1895–1905: Her Illustrious Highness Countess Calixta of Lippe-Biesterfeld 1905 – 14 August 1919: Her Serene Highness Princess Calixta of Lippe 14 August 1919 – 15 December 1982: Her Royal Highness Princess Waldemar of Prussia 2 May 1945 - 15 December 1982: Her Royal Highness Dowager Princess Waldemar of Prussia.
