In 1845 he succeeded his father, Georg Friedrich, as prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont, but until 1852 he stood under regency of his mother Emma von Anhalt-Bernburg-Schaumburg

He was General of the Infantry of the Prussian army (which oocupied in 1866 the Duchy of Nassau, ruled by his brother in law Duke Adolph of Nassau).

He was born in Bad Arolsen the son of George II, Prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont and his wife Princess Emma of Anhalt-Bernburg-Schaumburg-Hoym.He succeeded as prince originally under the guardianship of his mother on 15 May 1845 following the death of his father.

George Victor was first married on 26 September 1853 in Wiesbaden to Princess Helena of Nassau, daughter of William, Duke of Nassau.They had seven children:

Princess Sophie (27 July 1854 – 5 August 1869); died of tuberculosis at fifteen.

Princess Pauline (19 October 1855 – 3 July 1925) married Alexis, Prince of Bentheim and Steinfurt.

Princess Marie (23 May 1857 – 30 April 1882) who married Prince William, later King William II of Württemberg.

Princess Emma (2 August 1858 – 20 March 1934) who married King William III of the Netherlands. The present Dutch royal family descends from this marriage.

Princess Helena (17 February 1861 – 1 September 1922) who married British Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany. Amongst her children was Charles Edward, last reigning Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. The present Swedish royal family descends from this marriage.

Prince Friedrich (20 January 1865 – 26 May 1946), last reigning prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont, married Princess Bathildis of Schaumburg-Lippe

Princess Elisabeth (6 September 1873 – 23 November 1961) married Alexander, Prince of Erbach-Schönberg.

His second marriage took place in Luisenlund on 29 April 1891 to Princess Louise of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg. From this marriage he had one son who was killed in action shortly after outbreak of the First World War.

Prince Wolrad (1892–1914)

He died of pneumonia in Marienbad, Bohemia and was succeeded by his eldest son Friedrich.