He was born at
Moltkes Palæ in Copenhagen, Denmark. He was the son of
Adam Gottlob Moltke (1710–1792) and Sophie Hedevig von Raben (1733–1802). His father was lensgreve til Bregentved and had exercised extensive political power during the reign of
Frederick V. Moltke studied at the
University of Copenhagen from 1786 and in 1788 became a legal candidate. He then made a study trip abroad. He moved to
Norway where he was appointed the
County Governor of
Bratsberg amt from 1798 until 1800. In 1800, Moltke received the rank of
chamberlain and appointed to be the
Diocesan Governor of Christianssands Stiftamt (and simultaneously the
County Governor of Nedenes Amt. He held that job until 1804. In 1813, he was appointed in charge of the
Schleswig-Holstein-Lauenborg Chancellor (
Slesvig-Holsten-Lauenborgske Cancelli). He was secretary of state from 1824 to 1830, and an outstanding member of the Privy Councillor of Denmark 1824–1842. He became Commander of the
Order of the Dannebrog in 1810, received the Great Cross in 1815 and became Knight of the
Order of the Elephant in 1826. ==Personal life==