Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the revered spiritual leader of the Ismaili community, has passed away in Lisbon at the age of 88. The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) confirmed his death on Tuesday.
“With profound sadness, the Jamat is informed that our beloved 49th hereditary Imam, Mawlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini, passed peacefully to Almighty Allah’s grace on February 4, 2025, in Lisbon, Portugal, surrounded by his family,” the official statement read.
Following Ismaili tradition, his successor will be announced after the reading of his will. This process will take place in the presence of his family and senior members of the community.
A Life of Leadership and Service
Prince Karim Aga Khan was born in Geneva on December 13, 1936. He became the Imam of the Ismaili community on July 11, 1957, after the passing of his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan. At just 20 years old, he took on the responsibility of guiding his followers.
For nearly seven decades, he dedicated his life to social progress, education, and economic development. His leadership extended beyond the Ismaili community, benefiting people across Asia, Africa, and other regions.
A direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through Hazrat Ali and Hazrat Fatima, Prince Karim Aga Khan remained devoted to the welfare of the Muslim Ummah.
A Legacy of Humanitarian Work
As the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network, Prince Karim Aga Khan created one of the largest private development organizations in the world. Operating in over 30 countries, AKDN has been a force for positive change. With around 80,000 employees, the network has built schools, hospitals, and infrastructure to uplift marginalized communities.
“If you travel the developing world, you see that poverty is a tragic source of despair and that there is a possibility that any path will be taken,” he shared in a rare 2007 interview with The New York Times.
His approach to development blended humanitarian work with private enterprise. He owned businesses in banking, healthcare, and manufacturing, mainly in Africa and Asia, ensuring sustainable progress for those in need.
A Global Icon
Beyond his humanitarian efforts, Prince Karim Aga Khan was an influential figure in the world of thoroughbred horse racing. He inherited a family tradition of breeding champion racehorses. Among his most famous horses was Shergar, who won some of Europe’s most prestigious races.
A man of the world, he held citizenship in Britain, France, Switzerland, and Portugal. He navigated seamlessly between Eastern and Western cultures, balancing his spiritual duties with his role as a statesman and philanthropist.
“Few persons bridge so many divides — between the spiritual and the material; East and West; Muslim and Christian — as gracefully as he does,” Vanity Fair observed in a 2013 profile.
Final Farewell
Prince Karim Aga Khan’s funeral prayers will take place in Lisbon, though the exact timing will be announced later. He is survived by three sons and a daughter.
The global Ismaili community, which numbers around 15 million, now awaits the formal announcement of his successor. As per tradition, the next Imam will be named according to the guidelines set in his will.
His passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy will continue to shape the lives of millions for generations to come.
