Prince Karim AL-Hussaini Aga Khan IV has died at the age of 88 in Lisbon Portugal. The news of his passing was confirmed by a close family member who noted that he died peacefully on 4th of February 2025.
His Highness Prince Karim was the 49th spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and a direct descendant of Prophet Mohammed. As a spiritual leader, he taught compassion, tolerance and upholding of human dignity. He was a defender of Islamic culture and values; he was widely regarded as a builder of bridges between Muslim societies and the West.
Prince Karim Aga Khan succeeded his grandfather as imam of the Ismaili Muslims in 1957 at the age of 20. The Ismailis, a Muslim sect, have a worldwide population of about 15 million, including 500,000 in Pakistan. There are also large populations in India, Afghanistan and parts of Africa.
Treated as a head of state, the Aga Khan was given the title of “His Highness” by Queen Elizabeth in July 1957, two weeks after his grandfather the Aga Khan III unexpectedly made him heir to the family’s 1,300-year dynasty as leader of the Ismaili Muslim sect.
The prince had an estimated fortune of $1bn (£801m) in 2008, according to Forbes magazine. His inherited wealth was boosted by numerous business interests, including horse-breeding
Aga Khan’s life was filled with philanthropic activities aimed at improving people’s lives. His philanthropy fostered the establishment of impactful institutions like; Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) which has enhanced development in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions. These foundations work in over 30 countries and has an annual budget of about $1 billion for nonprofit.
Aga Khan’s institutions focus on education, healthcare and economic empowerment. He left a legacy through establishing the following institutions: Aga Khan Schools, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nation Media Group PLC, Industrial promotion Services Ltd, A ll pack Industries Ltd, Farmers choice ltd, Premier food industries, Tourism promotion services East Africa Ltd among others.
United Nations chief Antonio Guterres described the Aga Khan as “a symbol of peace, tolerance and compassion in our troubled world” following the religious leader’s death.
Activist and Nobel Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai said: “His legacy will continue to live on through the incredible work he led for education, health and development around the world.”
King Charles is understood to be deeply saddened by the death of the philanthropist, who was a friend of both himself and his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, and is in touch with the family privately.
The Aga Khan will be buried in Lisbon. The date was not released.