The Aga Khan, a spiritual leader, philanthropist and one of the richest men in the world, died at the age of 88.
Usually in the public interest thanks to its racing horses, the British citizen was the spiritual leader of 12 million members of the mystical Ismaili sect of Islam.
Some believe that he was a direct descendant of the Prophet Mohammed.
He inherited his title of his grandfather in 1957 at the age of only 20 and is considered by his followers as 'The Bringer of Life'.
Despite his sometimes turbulent private life, he remained honored for the global charity work that he has led to.
In an announcement on social media, the Aga Khan Development Network said: 'His Highness Prince Karim al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, 49th hereditary imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace about him) passed by) , passed), passed), passed by), passed by), passed by), passed), passed by), passed by), passed), passed on peacefully road in Lisbon on February 4, 2025, aged 88, surrounded by his family.
The Aga Khan-Prins Karim al-Hussaini runs from Downing Street after a breakfast meeting with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on January 28, 2010
'Prince Karim Aga Khan was the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network. The announcement of his designated successor will follow.
'Leaders and staff of the AGA Khan Development Network offer our participation in the family of his highness and the Ismaili community worldwide.
“While we honor the legacy of our founder, Prince Karim Aga Khan, we continue to work with our partners to improve the quality of life for individuals and communities around the world, as he wanted, regardless of their religious ties or origin.”
The Aga Khan, whose ancestors fled Persia for India two centuries ago, was born in Switzerland and spent a large part of his later life in France, despite the fact that it had British citizenship.
His first wife was the British model Sally Croke-Pool, whom he married in 1969. They had two sons and a daughter. The eldest son Prince Rahim, 53, is expected to become his official successor.
That first marriage ended after 25 years and in 1998 he married Princess Gabrielle on his huge Aiglemont estate, near Paris. She is a German former pop singer who converted to Islam for her marriage and accepted the new name of Inaara.
The couple had a son, but announced their divorce after six years.
The enormous wealth of Aga Khan allowed him to run a hunt of £ 100 million, called Alamsshar to one of his racing horses. He also owned the notorious Shergar, who was stolen in 1983 by Schutters in Ireland and never seen again.
This is a breaking story, more to follow.
