 His mother was the Romanian-born aristocrat Olga Sturdza, daughter of Alexandru Sturdza (from a non-princely branch, 3rd cousin once removed of the Russian statesman Alexandru Sturdza), grand-treasurer of the Principality of Moldova, by Elena Ghika.His father was "Knyaz" (Prince) Mikhail Aleksandrovich Obolensky (1821–1886).His term of office saw revolutionary turmoil in both Russia and the Grand Duchy of Finland.