Otto Ferdinand Maximilian Leopold Freiherr[Notes 1] von der Goltz (April 19, 1838 – December 20, 1906) was an Admiral of the Imperial German Navy (Kaiserliche Marine).

Born into Von der Goltz noble family, he was born in Königsberg, Prussia as the son of Amadeus Bogislaw Ferdinand von der Goltz (1804-1851) and his wife, Louise Hampel (1812-1894).

He joined the Prussian Navy in 1853, and became an Fähnrich zur See (midshipman) in 1859, and Kapitänleutnant (lieutenant) in 1865, and Korvettenkapitän in 1870.

As captain (Kapitän zur See), he made several trips as the commander of the corvette Augusta to South America (Brazil) and West Indies.

Five years later he was made Vizeadmiral and appointed commander (Marinetstationschef) of the North Sea Naval Station (Marinestation der Nordsee) at Wilhelmshaven.