The world grieves the loss of His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, whose death at the age of 88, on February 4, 2025, in Lisbon, Portugal, has shaken millions of Ismaili Muslims who viewed the Aga Khan IV as their spiritual leader and philanthropic businessman.
Philanthropy is not new to him because he shaped the culture of the Ismaili Muslims in a way that helped them grasp the significance of societal development through compassion.
Before plunging into the details of this remarkable person’s life, achievements, and multi-faceted legacy, we will also contemplate what ramifications his death holds for Ismaili Muslims and who will assume the monumental responsibilities that his role held.
Who Was Aga Khan IV?
Prince Karim Aga Khan IV came to this world on December 13, 1936, in Geneva, Switzerland, to Prince Aly Khan and Joan Yarde-Buller. As a direct descendent of the Prophet Muhammad through Fatima and Ali, it earned him immense respect amongst the Ismaili Shia sect.
He worked to improve the education, economic development, and humanitarian assistance of the world while strengthening international diplomatic relations.
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Becoming Aga Khan: A Leader for the Modern Age
At the tender age of twenty, my grandfather chose me completely out of the blue to serve as the fourth Ismaili imam. For whatever reason he had, the decision seems rather peculiar to me now, but he strongly believed that my more Western ways of thought and my education would make me a more effective leader than the rest of my family.
With Prince Karim now officially awarded the title, the year 1957 marked the beginning of his wandering as he ventured into new places to meet his followers. He set himself with intricate tasks and maintained a ceaseless endeavor for decades. With extreme compassion and in-depth passion, he worked constantly to advance the level and quality of education provided, increase economic opportunities, and provide humanitarian help.
A Billionaire with a Philanthropic Vision
Unlike other billionaires, Aga Khan IV utilized a large sum of his money ranging from over 14 billion dollars for humanitarian purposes. He is more widely known as a Philanthropist due to his primary firm named AKDN which operates in over 30 different nations worldwide.
The network concentrates its resources in some of the most significant sectors for development, including:
- Healthcare: erecting hospitals and other medical facilities in underserved areas such as Africa, South Asia, and Central Asia.
- Education: donating to dozens of schools, universities, and higher education scholarship programs to guarantee a proper education to anyone willing to learn.
- Economic Development – Funding infrastructure projects, business activities, and microfinance schemes.
- Cultural Preservation – Preserving and restoring significant historical Islamic sites and Islamic art and architecture.
Besides, it is one of the largest private development NGOs in the world, with an annual budget of over a billion dollars.
A Life of Luxury and Influence
Aga Khan IV dedication to humanitarian work is exceptional, but so is the lifestyle he leads. Some of his possessions include:
- A mega yacht, $200 million
- An island in the Bahamas
- Multiple private jets
- Manor estates are located in France, Portugal, and Switzerland
On top of that, he had close ties with royalty, politicians, and business elites from all over the world. He was good friends with Queen Elizabeth II and was given the British Honorific title “His Highness” in 1957.
Because of a lifetime of wealth, power, and diplomatic influence, he is often labeled as “the most well-connected man in the world.”
A Champion of Culture and Islamic Heritage
Alongside philanthropy, Aga Khan IV had a deep passion for heritage Islamic architecture and its preservation. For example, he:
- Instituted the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, the most renowned prize in the discipline.
- Created programs for Islamic architecture at Harvard and MIT.
- Rebuilding historic Islamic sites worldwide
As a result of this participation, he gained wide acceptance as a custodian of Islamic culture who made it possible for future generations to understand and appreciate Islamic history.
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Sports Enthusiast and Equestrian Legacy
In addition to philanthropy and theological pursuits, Aga Khan IV was an enthusiast of sports. For instance, he:
- Came 5th for skiing on behalf of Iran at the Winter Olympics in 1964.
- Also, he was one of the top owners and breeders of racehorses that were winners in important international events like the Epsom Derby and the Irish Derby.
Due to these activities in horse racing, he earned great prominence among the sports community worldwide.
A Global Diplomat and Humanitarian
Aga Khan IV was a well-known figure with almost all world leaders because of his diplomatic virtues and his lifelong commitment to pluralism and peace.
One of the most prominent humanitarian initiatives was CARITAS, where he focused on getting former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau to agree to take thousands of Ismaili Muslims from Uganda after they were expelled in the 1970s.
Because of his global contributions, he received several notable accolades such as:
- Honorary Canadian Citizenship (2010)
- Padma Vibhushan (India’s Second Highest Civilian Award)
- France’s Legion of Honor
His Final Years and Death
Aga Khan IV spent most of his life in France but later on moved to Portugal, which is where his development network was based.
He passed away in Lisbon on February 4, 2025, surrounded by his family. After the announcement, many world leaders, members of the Ismaili community, and international organizations expressed their condolences.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also paid respects stating that “he was an incredibly charitable world leader, and it is with a heavy heart that we bear his loss.”
Where Will Aga Khan IV Be Laid To Rest?
His resting place will be in Lisbon, but no date has been set.
Who Will Be His Successor?
His successor will be outlined in his will, which will be read in private first to his family and religious leaders before being declared publicly.
As is the custom, the next Aga Khan will be selected from among his direct male descendants or other family members.
The Legacy of Aga Khan IV
Aga Khan IV was more than just a billionaire philanthropist. His pursuit in education and healthcare, as well as culture and humanitarian work, touched the lives of millions of people globally. His impact carried across continents and generations making him a remarkable leader.
Because of his phenomenal contributions, his profound service, leadership, and compassion will inspire many for centuries to come.
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Final Thoughts
The death of Aga Khan IV signifies the end of an era not only for the Ismaili community but the world at large. There is no questioning that his effort and dedication toward raising marginalized communities, building cultural legacies, and advocating peace will always be remembered.
May his values serve as an example to the coming generations.
