Billionaire philanthropist and spiritual figure Aga Khan has passed away at the age of 88, as confirmed by his charity, the Aga Khan Development Network.
Prince Karim Aga Khan served as the 49th hereditary imam of the Ismaili Muslims, who believe they are direct descendants of the Prophet Muhammad.
His charity stated on social media that he “passed away peacefully” in Lisbon, Portugal, surrounded by his family.
Born in Switzerland, he held British citizenship and resided in a chateau in France.
King Charles reportedly feels profound sorrow over the loss of the philanthropist, who was a friend of him and his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and is privately communicating with the family.
The Aga Khan’s charitable organizations operated numerous hospitals, educational initiatives, and cultural projects, primarily in developing nations.
He led an extravagant lifestyle, which included owning a private island in the Bahamas, a super-yacht, and a private jet.
The Aga Khan Development Network expressed its “condolences to the family of His Highness and to the Ismaili community around the globe.”
“We continue our collaborative efforts with partners to enhance the quality of life for individuals and communities worldwide, as he desired, regardless of their religious beliefs or backgrounds,” it stated.
The identity of his successor, who will be one of his male descendants, will be announced soon, according to the Aga Khan Development Network.
The Ismailis, a Shia Muslim sect, honor several Imams, including Imam Ismail, who passed away in 765 AD.
Their global community is approximately 15 million strong, with 500,000 residing in Pakistan, along with significant populations in India, Afghanistan, and certain regions of Africa.
Prince Karim Aga Khan became the imam of the Ismaili Muslims in 1957 at the young age of 20, following his grandfather’s succession. As per Forbes magazine, his wealth was estimated to be around $1 billion (£801 million) in 2008. His inherited fortune was augmented by various business ventures, including horse breeding. He established the Aga Khan Foundation charity and lent his name to institutions like a university in Karachi, as well as the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at Harvard University and MIT. The Aga Khan Trust for Culture played a crucial role in restoring the Humayun’s Tomb site located in Delhi. Additionally, there is an annual Aga Khan Award recognizing excellence in architecture. He also founded the Nation Media Group, which has grown into the largest independent media organization in East and Central Africa.
Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif honored the prince, calling him a “visionary, faithful, and generous individual” and a “remarkable leader.” He remarked, “Through his relentless initiatives in combating poverty, improving healthcare, and promoting gender equality, he advocated for the underprivileged, leaving a lasting impact on numerous lives.” Activist and Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai commented, “His legacy will persist through the extraordinary work he spearheaded in education, healthcare, and global development.” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres referred to him as a “representative of peace, tolerance, and compassion in our challenging world.”
In addition to his worldwide influence, a significant part of his legacy will center on horse breeding. He emerged as a prominent owner and breeder of racehorses in the UK, France, and Ireland, famously breeding Shergar, once regarded as the most renowned and valuable racehorse globally.
Shergar achieved a remarkable victory in the Epsom Derby in 1981, winning by a margin of 10 lengths while adorned in the Aga Khan’s distinctive emerald green silks with red epaulets. However, two years later, he was tragically kidnapped in Ireland and has never been located.
Despite the loss of his cherished horse, the Aga Khan expressed in a 2011 BBC interview, marking the 30th anniversary of Shergar’s significant win, that he never considered abandoning his Irish breeding operation. Reflecting on Shergar’s victory, he stated, “It’s a memory that can never, never go away. If you’re involved in racing, the Epsom Derby is one of the premier events. It has always held that status, so to win such a prestigious race is an extraordinary honor. Winning it in the manner that he did was even more special.”
The Aga Khan subsequently celebrated additional Derby victories with Shahrastani in 1986, Kahyasi in 1988, Sinndar in 2000, and Harzand in 2016.
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