Svyatopolk-Mirsky was born to the family of Tomasz Bogumił Jan Światopełk-Mirski, the ambassador to Russia from the semi-independent Kingdom of Poland.

From 1857 to 1859, Svyatopolk-Mirsky commanded the Kabarda Regiment, took part in the storm of Gunib, and the capture of Imam Shamil.

During the Russo-Turkish War, 1877-78, Svyatopolk-Mirsky was the chief of the General Staff of the Russian troops during the Battle of Kars.

He died in 1899 in Nice, France and was buried at the family estate, "Gievka," near Liubotyn in the former Kharkov Governorate.

Olga was also a lady-in-waiting (before her marriage) and a lifelong friend to Empress Maria Fyodorovna, wife of Tsar Alexander III of Russia.