- Aga Khan, spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims, passes away at 88.
- Philanthropist led global charity efforts through the Aga Khan Development Network.
- Renowned racehorse owner, known for breeding the legendary Shergar.
Billionaire philanthropist and spiritual leader Aga Khan has passed away at the age of 88, the Aga Khan Development Network has announced.
Prince Karim Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary imam of the Ismaili Muslims, peacefully passed away in Lisbon, Portugal, surrounded by his family, according to a statement from his charity.
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Born in Switzerland, the Aga Khan held British citizenship and resided in a chateau in France. His passing has deeply saddened King Charles III, who considered him a personal friend and is privately in touch with the family.
As the leader of approximately 15 million Ismaili Muslims worldwide, the Aga Khan was a major figure in global philanthropy.
Through his charities, he oversaw hospitals, educational institutions, and cultural projects, particularly in the developing world.
The Aga Khan Development Network expressed its condolences, pledging to continue his mission of improving lives regardless of religious or ethnic background.
Beyond his philanthropy, the Aga Khan enjoyed a life of luxury, owning a private island in the Bahamas, a super-yacht, and a private jet. His wealth, estimated at $1 billion in 2008 by Forbes, stemmed from inherited riches and various business ventures, including his renowned horse-breeding operations in the UK, France, and Ireland.
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A key figure in horse racing, he bred the legendary Shergar, who won the 1981 Epsom Derby by 10 lengths. Shergar’s mysterious kidnapping in Ireland two years later became one of the sport’s most infamous cases. Despite the loss, the Aga Khan remained committed to his Irish breeding enterprise, telling the BBC in 2011 that he never considered abandoning it.
Prince Karim Aga Khan succeeded his grandfather as imam in 1957 at the age of 20, dedicating his life to the spiritual and material well-being of his community.
