moltke was born in uppsala, sweden in 1947, of danish and american parentage, the elder of two daughters, to count carl adam moltke, son of count carl moltke, and countess mab moltke (née wilson; formerly wright). count carl adam moltke was a permanent member of the danish mission to the united nations, and countess moltke was an editor at "vogue". through her american grandmother, cornelia van rensselaer thayer, alexandra and her younger sister, victoria, are descended from the livingston, schuyler, bayard and van rensselaer families. she attended the chapin school in new york.