Heribert was born at Worms around 970, the son of Duke Hugo of Worms. After studying at the cathedral school of Worms and spending some time at the monastery of Gorze, he became provost of Worms cathedral. He was ordained priest in 994, and in the same year Otto III made him chancellor for Italy, and four years later for Germany as well. He was the young emperor's most influential adviser.

In 999, while he was in Italy, he was elected Archbishop of Cologne. Pope Sylvester II gave him the pallium at Benevento, and he was consecrated at Cologne that Christmas. In 1002 he was at the deathbed of Otto III at Paterno. On the way back to Germany with the emperor's body and the imperial insignia, he was held captive for a time by the future Henry II, whose claim to the throne he had at first opposed. Once Henry was elected, Heribert recognized him and served him faithfully, but he never won the king's full trust until 1021, when Henry saw his mistake and humbly asked the archbishop's pardon.

Heribert founded and richly endowed the Benedictine (monks following the Rule of St. Benedict) abbey of Deutz, where he is buried. He died at Cologne on 16 March 1021. He was already honoured as a saint in his lifetime and was canonized (officially declared a saint by the pope) by Gregory VII.

Heribert was born at Worms. His father was a gentleman of rank. His mother had been carried off into captivity by the Huns, and had been sold to an honest and good man, who restored her to her parents.

Archbishop of Cologne; born at Worms, c. 970; died at Cologne, 16 March, 1021. His father was Duke Hugo of Worms. After receiving his education at the cathedral school of Worms, he spent some time as guest at the monastery of Gorze, after which he became provost at the cathedral of Worms. In 994 he was ordained priest; in the same year King Otto III appointed him chancellor for Italy and four years later also for Germany, a position which he held until the death of Otto III on 23 January, 1002. As chancellor he was the most influential adviser of Otto III, whom he accompanied to Rome in 906 and again in 997. He was still in Italy when, in 999, he was elected Archbishop of Cologne. At Benevento he received ecclesiastical investiture and the pallium [a woolen band the pope gives to archbishops as a sign of their authority] from Pope Sylvester II on 9 July, 999, and on the following Christmas Day he was consecrated at Cologne. In 1002 he was present at the death-bed of the youthful emperor at Paterno. While returning to Germany with the emperor's remains and the imperial insignia, he was held captive for some time by the future King Henry II, whose candidacy he first opposed. As soon as Henry II was elected king, on 7 June, 1002, Heribert acknowledged him as such, accompanied him to Rome in 1004, mediated between him and the House of Luxemburg, and served him faithfully in many other wys; but he never won his entire confidence until the year 1021, when the king saw his mistake and humbly begged pardon on the archbishop. Heribert founded and richly endowed the Benedictine [monks following the Rule of St. Benedict] monastery and church of Deutz, where he lies buried. He was already honoured as a saint during his lifetime. Between 1073 and 1075 he was canonized by Pope Gregory VII. His feast is celebrated on 16 March.