Khởi was born in 1816. Khởi's father was Đắc and his mother was Liêm Nguyễn. His paternal grandparents were Tuyên and Chi Nghiêm. He had three brothers and three sisters, named Vết, Du, Đôn, Lợi, Lưu and Thiều. He died due to giỗ 13/8 âm lịch at the age of 50 in 1866. He was buried in Mả Chùa.