Emich was born at Coburg, Weimar Republic, the first child of Karl, Prince of Leiningen (1898–1946), (son of Emich, 5th Prince of Leiningen and Princess Feodore of Hohenlohe-Langenburg) and his wife, Grand Duchess Maria Kirillovna of Russia (1907–1951), (daughter of Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich of Russia and Princess Victoria Melita of Edinburgh).

Through his father, he was a descendant of the Vasa kings of Sweden and of both of Queen Victoria's half-siblings, Carl, Prince of Leiningen and Feodora, Princess of Hohenlohe-Langenburg.

As a result, Emich was the first descendant of all three of Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld's children.

Emich married on 10 August 1950 in Rastede to Duchess Eilika of Oldenburg (2 February 1928 – 26 January 2016), fourth child and second daughter of Nikolaus, Hereditary Grand Duke of Oldenburg and his wife, Princess Helena of Waldeck and Pyrmont.

A businessman and entrepreneur,[2] he owned a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe Chassis.