Aga Khan, Spiritual Leader of Ismaili Muslims, Passes Away at 88

LISBON, Portugal (Feb. 6) — His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community, has died at the age of 88 in Portugal, surrounded by his family. His passing was confirmed by the Aga Khan Foundation and the Ismaili religious community. Further details about his successor are expected to be announced soon. He is survived by three sons and a daughter.

Prince Karim Aga Khan IV became the leader of the global Ismaili Muslim community in 1957, when he was only 20 years old and a student at Harvard University. He succeeded his grandfather, Aga Khan III, who chose him over his own son, believing the young prince was better equipped to guide the faith into the modern era.

Over nearly seven decades of leadership, the Aga Khan emerged as both a spiritual guide and a renowned philanthropist, dedicating his life and resources to advancing education, healthcare, and economic development in some of the world’s most impoverished regions.

Soon after assuming leadership, Queen Elizabeth II granted him the title of “His Highness” in July 1957, recognizing his international stature.

Through his stewardship of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) — one of the world’s largest private development organizations — he worked to improve living conditions, promote cultural heritage, and foster sustainable progress across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Balancing faith, humanitarianism, and enterprise, the Aga Khan was widely respected for his vision of a modern, inclusive Islam rooted in compassion, service, and education. 

His death marks the close of a remarkable era for the Ismaili community, leaving behind an enduring legacy of compassion, humanitarian service, and global impact that transformed countless lives across the world.

Aga Khan IV, Spiritual Leader and Philanthropist, Dies at 88

LISBON, Portugal (Feb. 6) — His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, widely known as Aga Khan IV, passed away on Tuesday in Portugal at the age of 88, surrounded by his family. The Aga Khan Foundation and the Ismaili religious community confirmed his death, with details regarding his successor expected soon.

Born on December 13, 1936, in Creux-de-Genthod, Switzerland, the Aga Khan IV ascended to leadership of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community in 1957 at only 20 years old, following the passing of his grandfather, Aga Khan III. He took on the role after leaving Harvard University, where he had been studying, to be with his ailing grandfather, later returning to complete his education with a renewed sense of duty.

Reflecting on his sudden transition to leadership, he told Vanity Fair in 2012: “I was an undergraduate who knew what his work for the rest of his life was going to be. I don’t think anyone in my situation would have been prepared.”

During his six-decade tenure, the Aga Khan’s influence extended far beyond religion. He was deeply committed to promoting Islamic values rooted in compassion, education, and service, while fostering dialogue between Muslim societies and the wider world. Through the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) — one of the world’s largest private development organizations — he worked to improve access to healthcare, education, housing, and economic opportunities in developing countries.

Under his guidance, hospitals and health centers were established in nations such as Bangladesh, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan, where access to medical care was limited. He also championed rural development and initiatives aimed at strengthening local economies in impoverished regions.

A passionate advocate for architecture and cultural heritage, the Aga Khan founded the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, one of the most prestigious honors in the field, and supported academic programs in Islamic architecture at Harvard and MIT. His preservation efforts helped restore important historical and religious landmarks around the world.

Known for his vast wealth — often estimated in the billions — the Aga Khan viewed prosperity as a moral responsibility. In his 2012 Vanity Fair interview, he said, “We have no notion of wealth accumulation being evil. The Islamic ethic is that if God has given you the capacity or good fortune to be a privileged individual in society, you have a moral responsibility to society.”

His death marks the close of a transformative era for the Ismaili community. Remembered as both a spiritual leader and a visionary humanitarian, Aga Khan IV leaves behind a profound legacy of philanthropy, intercultural understanding, and service to humanity.

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