[1] He was a member of the House of Henckel von Donnersmarck, a Silesian noble family.

In 1945, following World War II and the flight and expulsions of the Germans in Poland, his family lost their estates in Silesia after they were seized by the Soviet Army.

[1] Despite being of German nationality, Henckel von Donnersmarck and his family were confirmed as loyal citizens of the Second Republic of Poland.

[1] On 10 April 1958, he married Princess Marie-Adélaïdein in a Catholic ceremony at the Notre-Dame Cathedral, Luxembourg.

[2] He and Princess Marie-Adélaïde had four children – three sons and a daughter - and eight grandchildren: The family lived at Wolfesberg Castle in Carinthia and later settled in Switzerland.