Urbane and media-shy, Aga Khan—born Prince Karim Al-Hussaini—rejects claims that personal wealth contradicts his lifelong commitment to philanthropy
By Uzma Ehtasham
LISBON/KARACHI: The Aga Khan IV, the leader of the world’s Ismaili Muslims, who seamlessly combined entrepreneurship with philanthropy, and emerged as one of the world’s wealthiest hereditary rulers, died on late Tuesday in Lisbon at the age of 88. His death was confirmed by the Aga Khan Development Network through a post on X, the social media platform, though no cause was given.
At the age of 20, Prince Karim Al-Hussaini inherited leadership of the Shia Muslim Ismaili community, and through his entrepreneurial ventures, became one of the wealthiest hereditary monarchs in the world. His remarkable wealth did not deter him from championing the causes of his faith and community. Urbane, cosmopolitan, and often media-shy, the Aga Khan, born Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, famously rejected the idea that the accumulation of personal wealth would undermine his charitable work. He firmly believed that his prosperity was complementary to his duty of enhancing the lives of Ismaili Muslims, a sect of the Shiite tradition with a global following of 15 million in over 35 countries.
As an imam, or leader of his faith, the Aga Khan held that religious leaders were not expected to withdraw from the everyday realities of life. In his own words, “On the contrary, he’s expected to protect his community and contribute to their quality of life. Therefore, the notion of the divide between faith and world is foreign to Islam.” His death marks the end of an era for his followers, who will remember his lasting impact on both their spiritual and material well-being.
Known to his followers by the title Mawlānā Hazar Imam, the Aga Khan’s legacy extends far beyond his role as a religious leader. His vision combined the spiritual and the material, bringing his considerable business acumen to bear on the development of his community and the world. His passing marks the end of an era for the Nizari Ismailis, who will remember him not only as a spiritual leader but also as a driving force behind significant social and economic development initiatives.
Born on December 13, 1936, in Geneva, Switzerland, he succeeded his grandfather, Aga Khan III, as the 49th Imam of the Nizari Ismailis in 1957, taking the title at the young age of 20. His leadership spanned almost six decades, during which he guided the Ismaili community through profound political and economic shifts across the globe. He was twice married and from his first marriage with Salimah Aga Khan , had four children Rahim Aga Khan, Aly Muhammad Aga Khan, Zahra Aga Khan, and Hussain Aga Khan, while from his second marriage with Inaara Aga Khan had three children, Aly Muhammad Aga Khan, Ali Muhammad Shah, and Prince Aga Khan.
Aga Khan IV was a man of both considerable wealth and deep spiritual responsibility. His net worth was estimated to exceed $13.3 billion in 2013, with Forbes recognizing him as one of the world’s fifteen `richest royals. The Aga Khan, who held both British and Portuguese citizenship, was a business magnate, racehorse owner, and breeder. Yet, despite his wealth, he remained firmly dedicated to improving the lives of his followers and the wider world. He was the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network, one of the largest private development networks globally, which was central to his philanthropic efforts.
Under his leadership, the Ismaili community navigated key historical events, including the independence of African nations, the expulsion of Asians from Uganda, and the turmoil in Central Asia and Afghanistan. The Aga Khan’s commitment to humanitarian causes was evident throughout his life, especially as he addressed the Joint Session of the Canadian Parliament in 2014, becoming the first religious leader to do so.
