Kempinski was born in Raschkow, Province of Posen, Kingdom of Prussia (Raszków, Poland), he became a travelling salesman in winetrade in his home region.

Kempinski and his younger brother operated a wine tavern at the Ring (Market Square) of Breslau (Wrocław).

In 1872 he moved to Berlin and started a small premise at Kronenstraße and soon after the M. Kempinski & Co. wine restaurant at Friedrichstraße / Leipziger Straße junction.

Wilhelm II selected the mayolica tiles from his Cadiner Majolika manufactury and attended the opening of the Kaisersaal (Emperor's hall).

[1] Kempinski died 14 March 1910 in Berlin and was buried in an honorary grave at the Jewish Weißensee cemetery.