Wilhelm Albert von Opel was born in Rüsselsheim on May 15, 1871, the son of automotive visionary Adam Opel.

After studying engineering at the Technical University of Darmstadt, he and his brothers took over their father's company and developed it into one of the world's leading automobile brands.

In 1917, the brothers were appointed Privy Councillors by the last Grand Duke of Darmstadt, Ernst Ludwig, and elevated to the nobility. After the family business had been transformed into a public limited company, he and his brothers sold it to the American General Motors Group in 1929. Wilhelm von Opel retired in Wiesbaden and remained associated with the company on the Supervisory Board. He died in Wiesbaden on May 2, 1948.