He was born in Düsseldorf, the second son of Philipp-Ernst, Prince of Schaumburg-Lippe (1928-2003) and his wife Baroness Eva-Benita von Tiele-Winckler (1927-2013).

He studied law at Göttingen and moved into Bückeburg Palace upon his succession, managing the properties of the House.

He is also known as a devoted jazz pianist, and has occasionally given concerts together with his friend Karl Friedrich, Prince of Hohenzollern, a saxophonist.

Alexander married Princess Marie Luise "Lilly" of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg (born 25 September 1972), daughter of Prince Otto Ludwig of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and Baroness Annette von Cramm, at Bückeburg on 27 August 1993;[1] they had one son before divorcing in 2002.

[3] At Bückeburg Palace, the family seat, Alexander married Iranian pianist Mahkameh Navabi (born 18 March 1981) on 12 September 2020,[3][4] in a small gathering due to the health measures relating to the COVID-19 pandemic,[5] and religiously at the Bückeburg Town Church on 9 October 2021.