He was the son of Count István Zichy de Zich et Vásonkeő (1715–1769), and Countess Marie Cecilie von Stubenberg (1725–1763).

In 1782, Joseph II appointed him as the Chief Governor of Békés County as a Court Councilor and referendarius.

In 1821, on the occasion of the half-century jubilee of his official position, he received the diamonds of the Order of Saint Stephen.

Together, they were the parents of eleven children, including:[1] Count Zichy died in Vienna on 28 September 1826 and was buried in Oroszvár.

[2] Through his son Ferenc, he was a grandfather of Countess Emilia Zichy-Ferraris (1803–1866), who was the second wife of Count Pál Széchényi,[5] and Countess Melanie Zichy-Ferraris (1805–1854), who was the third wife of Prince Klemens von Metternich (parents of Princess Melanie Metternich-Zichy).