Aga Khan IV: Life of service
The Aga Khan, 49th Hereditary Imam of Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, waves after his arrival at Madrid's Torrejon airbase, Spain May 21, 2004.
What you need to know:
- Prince Karim Aga Khan was the 49th hereditary imam of the Ismaili Muslims, who say they are direct decedents of the Prophet Muhammad
Dar es Salaam. The world awoke yesterday to the sad news of the passing of the esteemed spiritual leader and philanthropist, His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV.
He died peacefully at the age of 88 in Lisbon, Portugal, surrounded by family, as confirmed by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).
Born on December 13, 1936, in Geneva, Switzerland, Prince Karim Al-Hussaini was declared to be in good health despite being born prematurely. Less than a year later, he welcomed his younger brother, Amyn Aga Khan.
Prince Karim later became widely recognised as Aga Khan IV, serving as the 49th Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims.
Global tributes
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Mwinyi joined world leaders in mourning his passing.
“It is with great sadness that I learnt of the passing of His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, the spiritual leader of the world’s Ismaili Muslims and the founder of the Aga Khan Development Network,” President Hassan said.
“On behalf of the Government and People of the United Republic of Tanzania, I wish to convey our deepest condolences to His Highness’s family, the AKDN, and the Ismaili Muslim community. We stand together in mourning the loss of a great leader and visionary whose work has transformed the lives of millions around the world.”
Mwinyi also expressed his condolences, honouring His Highness’s visionary leadership and lifelong commitment to humanitarianism, education, healthcare, and global development through the AKDN.
“On behalf of Zanzibar, I extend my sympathies to His Highness’s family, the Ismaili community, and all those touched by his legacy. As we mourn this great loss, we also celebrate a leader whose impact will inspire generations,” he said, adding that the Zanzibar government stands in solidarity with the Ismaili community and the AKDN during this difficult time.
Kenyan President William Ruto noted that the world has lost “an extraordinary leader who went beyond what seemed impossible to help the vulnerable through his charities in hospitals and schools.” He expressed his sadness over the passing of The Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres remembered Aga Khan IV as “a global spiritual leader, philanthropist, and advocate for peace, development, and pluralism.”
He added: “For decades, the Aga Khan dedicated his life to improving the quality of life for millions, particularly in the most vulnerable communities, through his unwavering commitment to humanitarian work, education, and cultural preservation.” Guterres also noted that the Aga Khan’s leadership extended beyond his role as Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, serving as a bridge-builder between cultures and faiths, promoting mutual understanding in an increasingly interconnected world.
The UN chief recognised The Aga Khan’s invaluable contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“The Secretary-General extends his deepest condolences to the Aga Khan’s family, the Ismaili community, and all those who were inspired by his vision, compassion, and leadership,” Guterres added.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid tribute, stating that The Aga Khan devoted his life to peace and prosperity for all.
“He worked across continents and cultures to resolve the world’s greatest humanitarian challenges: poverty, education, and gender inequality. He was an extraordinary man of vision, faith, and generosity, and I know his legacy will live on through the many lives he touched.” In a statement following the news of his passing, Trudeau and his family sent their condolences to His Highness’s family, friends, and all Ismaili Muslims in Canada and around the world who are mourning this loss.
A statement from the Aga Khan Development Network in Tanzania noted that His Highness dedicated his life to improving the living conditions of his community and the peoples of the countries in which they lived, irrespective of race, gender, ethnicity, or religion.
The statement emphasized that he was respected worldwide as a statesman and a defender of peace and human progress.
“His wisdom was profound, his patience boundless. He was a statesman of rare grace, a scholar of deep intellect, and a humanitarian whose actions spoke louder than words. He saw no boundaries in service and no distinctions in dignity—only a shared responsibility to create a world where all could thrive.”
Early life and education
Aga Khan IV spent much of his early life in Nairobi, Kenya, where he received his primary education. He later attended the prestigious Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland for nine years before moving to the United States to study at Harvard University. Although he was initially offered a place at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), his grandfather, Aga Khan III, encouraged him to study Islamic history at Harvard. While at Harvard, he was also a member of The Delphic Club and the Harvard Crimson football team. He graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Arts in History.
Rise to the imamate
On October 19, 1957, at the age of 20, Aga Khan IV was appointed Imam of the Nizari Ismaili community. The announcement was made in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, at a historic site where his grandfather had once received a gift of gold and diamonds matching his weight from his followers.
His succession was notable as he was chosen over his father, Prince Aly Khan, and his uncle, Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, by the late Aga Khan III. Aga Khan IV took on the responsibility of leading the Ismaili community through significant political and economic changes.
His leadership was tested during the independence movements of various African nations, the expulsion of the Asian community from Uganda in 1972 under Idi Amin’s rule, and the collapse of the Soviet Union, which affected Central Asian countries like Tajikistan. He played a crucial role in resettling Ismaili Muslims displaced by political unrest.
Contributions to development and media
Aga Khan IV believed in the power of economic and social development. In 1959, he founded Nation Media Group (NMG), which became the largest private media organisation in East and Central Africa. Through NMG, he established widely read publications such as the Daily Nation, Sunday Nation, The East African and The Citizen, along with broadcasting outlets such as NTV and Nation FM.
In addition to media, he founded the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), one of the world’s largest private development networks, employing approximately 80,000 people. AKDN operates in various fields, including healthcare, education, culture, rural development, and economic growth, with institutions such as Aga Khan University, the University of Central Asia, and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture under its umbrella.
Personal life
Aga Khan IV married Sarah Frances Croker Poole, a former British model, in 1969. She took the name Begum Salimah Aga Khan. The couple had three children: Zahra Aga Khan, Rahim Aga Khan, and Hussain Aga Khan. After 11 years of marriage, they divorced.
In 1998, he married German-born Gabriele Renate Thyssen, who became Begum Inaara Aga Khan. They had two children together, but the couple separated in 2004 and finalized their divorce in 2011 after a lengthy legal battle in France.
