Descendant from an old Italian noble Del Carretto family, he was the son of Don Francesco del Carretto, Marquis of Grana, Count of Millesimo (1590-1652) and his wife, Margarethe Fugger zu Nordendorff und Wörth (1592-1652).
He was also titular Margrave of Savona, Marquis of Grana, Count of Millesimo, etc.
He became instantly famous on 11 August 1675 in the Battle of Konzer Brucke, he engaged the right flank on exactly the right moment against the French under François de Créquy, inflicting a severe defeat.
He became a Knight of the Golden Fleece in 1678, Field Marshal of the Empire, Imperial ambassador in Madrid and General Captain and Governor of the Spanish Netherlands in April 1682.
Together, they had two daughters: After the death of his first wife Othon Henri married, on 10 June 1683, Princess Maria Theresa von Arenberg (1666–1716), sister of his son-in-law.