He was born to a wealthy Prussian family

Humboldt was born in Berlin on 14 September 1769 to a prominent Prussian family. Humboldt's father, Alexander Georg, was a major in the army who served during the War of Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War before being appointed chamberlain to the crown princess. He married the already widowed 25-year-old Marie Elisabeth Colomb two years later, in 1766, at the age of 46.

Alexander Georg had social connections, and his position as adjutant in charge of his regiment's food and equipment allowed him to make a profit during the war, but it was Marie Elisabeth who brought real wealth into the family. Her contributions included investments, a large Berlin townhouse, a country estate, and the lease on the Tegel manor house — not to mention her first marriage to Baron Holwede, which resulted in Heinrich, her son.

The new couple soon had two sons of their own, Wilhelm first, and Alexander two years later. In the year Alexander was born, his father resigned from his job and moved to Tegel to live the life of a country gentleman. On his one and only trip to Berlin, he continued to entertain members of the royal family and even German poet and playwright Goethe. Later, in his play "Faust," the writer returned the favor by mentioning Tegel.

Although Alexander's mother is usually portrayed as distant and cold, she made certain that her three sons were well cared for. She planned brilliant careers in the Prussian civil service for Wilhelm and Alexander after her oldest son left to pursue a military career. Finally, she was able to find and recruit excellent Enlightenment tutors, transforming two prodigies into marvels. Humboldt's mother died on November 18, 1796. He, his brother, and his half-brother were now wealthy. Humboldt's inheritance was estimated to be around 90,000 thalers in real estate, cash, and investments, a far cry from his 400-thaler salary. The interest alone was worth approximately 3,000 thalers per year.