Prince Karim Aga Khan IV leaves behind a legacy of philanthropy, leadership, and global development
Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the spiritual leader of the world’s 15 million Shia Ismaili Muslims, has passed away at the age of 88. He died peacefully in Lisbon, Portugal on Tuesday, according to a statement from the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).
The announcement marks a historic moment for the Ismaili Muslim community, which has not experienced the loss of an Imam in over six decades. The designated successor will be officially named in the coming days.
Born Prince Shah Karim Al-Husseini on December 13, 1936, in Geneva, Switzerland, he spent his early years in Nairobi, Kenya, before moving back to Switzerland to attend the prestigious Le Rosey School. He later studied Islamic history at Harvard University, where he was a junior when he unexpectedly succeeded his grandfather, Aga Khan III, as the 49th Imam of the Ismaili Muslim community in 1957, at just 20 years old.
Despite the weight of his new role, he embraced his responsibilities with vision and purpose. His leadership extended far beyond faith, as he championed humanitarian work, education, economic development, and architecture. In 1967, he founded the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), which now employs over 80,000 people worldwide, working to build schools, hospitals, and infrastructure projects across Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East.
The AKDN’s influence spans multiple sectors, providing electricity to remote villages, establishing renowned educational institutions, and supporting architectural preservation efforts. His vision was to bridge the gap between the Islamic world and the West, while improving the quality of life for millions in developing nations.
The Aga Khan held British, French, Swiss, and Portuguese citizenship, but maintained a deep connection with Canada. Under Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, Canada welcomed thousands of Ismaili refugees from Uganda in 1972, following their expulsion by dictator Idi Amin. His ties to Canada remained strong, leading to the establishment of institutions like the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto and various development projects across the country.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his condolences, calling the Aga Khan “an extraordinarily compassionate global leader, a man of vision, of faith, and of incredible generosity.”
“He will be deeply, deeply missed by people around the world, but particularly by the Ismaili community that is grieving tonight,” Trudeau said. “I lost a very good friend—a friend of my father’s and a friend of mine.”
Beyond his humanitarian work, the Aga Khan was known for his vast personal wealth, estimated at $13 billion USD. His fortune came from family inheritance, business investments, and ventures in tourism and real estate.
He was also a prominent figure in the world of horse racing, breeding some of the world’s most successful thoroughbreds. His most famous horse, Shergar, won the Epsom Derby, the Irish Derby, and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, before being mysteriously kidnapped from an Irish stud farm in 1983—a case that remains unsolved.
Prince Karim Aga Khan IV’s contributions to education, health, culture, and economic development have left a lasting impact on communities worldwide. His passing marks the end of an era, but his influence will continue through the institutions and initiatives he helped build.
The Ismaili community now awaits the official announcement of his successor, who will continue the work of guiding one of the world’s most dynamic and philanthropic Muslim sects.