Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims around the world, has died at 88.
In an announcement on social media, the Aga Khan Development Network said: 'His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), passed away peacefully in Lisbon on 4 February 2025, aged 88, surrounded by his family."
Most often in the public eye thanks to his racehorses, the British citizen was the spiritual leader of 12 million members of the Ismaili sect of Islam. Some believe he was a direct descendent of the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) through his daughter, Hazrat Bibi Fatima (may God be pleased with her), and the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law, Hazrat Ali (may God be pleased with him).
He inherited his title from his grandfather in 1957 aged of just 20 and is believed by his followers to be 'the bringer of life'. In spite of his sometimes turbulent private life he remained revered for the worldwide charitable works he has directed funds to.
'Prince Karim Aga Khan was the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network. The announcement of his designated successor will follow.
'Leaders and staff of the Aga Khan Development Network offer our condolences to the family of His Highness and to the Ismaili community worldwide.
'As we honour the legacy of our founder, Prince Karim Aga Khan, we continue to work with our partners to improve the quality of life for individuals and communities across the world, as he wished, irrespective of their religious affiliations or origins.'
The Aga Khan, whose ancestors fled Persia for India two centuries ago, was born in Switzerland and spent much of his later life in France, despite having British citizenship. He died in Lisbon, Portugal. His first wife was British model Sally Croker-Poole, who he married in 1969. They had two sons and a daughter. Eldest son Prince Rahim, 53, is expected to be his official successor.
That first marriage ended after 25 years, and he married Princess Gabrielle in 1998 at his huge Aiglemont estate, near Paris. She is a German former pop singer who converted to Islam for her marriage, and adopted the new name of Inaara. The couple had a son, but after six years announced their separation.
The Aga Khan's vast wealth allowed him to run a £100m yacht, named Alamshar after one of his racehorses. He also owned the infamous Shergar, who was stolen by gunmen in Ireland in 1983 and never seen again. He is survived by his children Princess Zahra, Prince Rahim, Prince Hussain and Prince Aly Muhammad, his brother Prince Amyn Muhammad, half-sister Princess Yasmin, and four grandchildren.
The Aga Khan was the eldest son of Prince Aly Khan by his first wife, Joan Yarde-Buller, and spent his early life in Nairobi, Kenya, after being born in Geneva in 1936. He attended the Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland before graduating from Harvard University in 1959 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Islamic history.
When he returned to the university following an eight-month break when he succeeded his grandfather, he said it was 'a big joke on campus' with his classmates calling him 'Jesus'.