Born to a Dutch family of Jewish heritage, Anton was the second son to Maria Heyligers (1836 – 1921) and Benjamin Frederik David Philips (1 December 1830 – 12 June 1900).

In Eindhoven they supported education and social programmes and facilities, such as the football department of the Philips Sports Association, which is the best known.

Anton, Otten and other family members escaped the Netherlands just before the Nazi Occupation during World War II.

He saved the lives of 382 Jews by claiming them as indispensable to his factory, and enabled them to evade Nazi roundups and deportation to concentration camps.

Philips married Anne Henriëtte Elisabeth Maria de Jongh (Amersfoort, 30 May 1878 – Eindhoven, 7 March 1970).