Alexander von Kluck was born in Westphalia as the fifth of six sons (and two daughters) to Betty and Rudolf Kluck, the director of the state building and planning office. Alexander began his military service as a lieutenant during the campaign of 1866, fighting at Dermbach and Kissingen under General von Göben. He later saw action as a company commander in the 1870-71 war against France, twice receiving wounds at the battle at Colombey. For his bravery during this action, he was awarded the Iron Cross. He also remained in France until 1873 as part of Germany's occupational forces.

Upon returning from France, von Kluck got on with  his career, spending several years as a military instructor and administrator at officer schools in Jülich, Annaburg, and Neubreisach. He received his first regimental command in 1898 in Bromberg, and in 1899 was at last promoted to the general rank. As a general of infantry and commander of I. Army Corps, he also received his title of nobility in 1909.

Despite the 1914 disaster on the Marne, von Kluck nonetheless later received from the Kaiser himself the order of the Pour le Merite as he lie on his sickbed. He had received a severe shrapnel wound in his leg  while inspecting his front lines. Known to be a very arrogant and unapproachable general officer, he was the only German commander during war who had never served on the Great General Staff or attended the Prussian War Academy. Von Kluck retired from military service in early 1916 and died on 19 October 1934 in Berlin. He is buried at the Südwestkirchhof in Stahnsdorf. Von Kluck's son Leutnant zur See Egon von Kluck was killed in action on 28 January 1915 at Lombardsijde.