He was the youngest son of Albert IV, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen, but the eldest child of his second wife Elisabeth, daughter of Gebhard XI, Count of Querfurt.
Albert had to wait until the succession of the Köthen line was in jeopardy (almost 37 years) before he could assert his right of inheritance.
By 1471, Adolph's three sons had all acted on their intention to become priests; in consequence, they could not produce further heirs.
Adolph died in 1473 and Albert finally became one of the rulers of the principality with the title of "Lord of Köthen," but his reign lasted only fifteen months.
In Alsleben on 27 March 1454 Albert married with Elisabeth (d. Querfurt, 18 September 1482), daughter of Günther II, Count of Mansfeld.