The son of Count Karl von und zu Eltz-Kempenich (1896–1922) and Princess Sophie of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg (1900–1982).
He then went to live in West Germany, where he studied law, took over the family's winery estate in Eltville, and became a professor of viticulture at Mainz University.
[5] Eltz returned to Vukovar in 1991 after Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia where he began working with political leaders to help reconstruct the government.
Due to his popularity, he was persuaded to run for office, and was elected by a large majority to the Croatian parliament in 1992 as an independent candidate for Vukovar.
He also became a member of the parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe where he promoted Croatia's case to joining the European Union.