Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims and a well-known philanthropist, passed away peacefully in Lisbon on February 4, 2025, at the age of 88. His foundation confirmed the news, stating that he was surrounded by family at the time of his passing.
Survived by Family
He leaves behind his children—Princess Zahra, Prince Rahim, Prince Hussain, and Prince Aly Muhammad—along with four grandchildren.
The foundation released an official statement:
“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 be upon him), passed away peacefully in Lisbon on 4 February 2025, aged 88, surrounded by his family.”
A Legacy of Humanitarian Work
Aga Khan, a billionaire philanthropist, dedicated his life to development and humanitarian causes. He founded and led the Aga Khan Development Network, an organization with 96,000 employees that funds initiatives in Asia and Africa.
Global Leaders Pay Tribute
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres honored Aga Khan, calling him “a symbol of peace, tolerance, and compassion in our troubled world.”
Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace laureate and education activist, praised his efforts in education, health, and global development. She said, “His legacy will live on through the incredible work he led for education, health, and development around the world.”
Who Was Aga Khan?
Born in Geneva, Switzerland, Aga Khan spent his early years in Kenya. In 1957, at just 20 years old, he became the 49th Imam of the Ismaili Muslims after succeeding his grandfather in Tanzania.
His father was passed over in the line of succession due to his turbulent marriage with Hollywood actress Rita Hayworth.
A Billionaire With a Passion for Philanthropy
Aga Khan inherited vast wealth, which he used for humanitarian efforts. However, he also had a passion for horse racing and owned a fleet of yachts and private jets. His contributions to global development earned him honorary Canadian citizenship for promoting tolerance worldwide.
A Leader Rooted in India
Aga Khan held both British and Portuguese citizenship, with Ismaili leadership headquartered in Lisbon. Although born in Switzerland, his ancestry traced back to India. His family, the Nizari Ismaili Muslims, had strong ties to Gujarat and other parts of the Indian subcontinent.
His View on Islam and Global Conflicts
Unlike many religious leaders, Aga Khan rarely commented on Middle East conflicts or Sunni-Shia tensions. In a 2017 interview, he emphasized that Islam is “not a faith of conflict or social disorder; it’s a religion of peace.”
Aga Khan’s passing marks the end of an era, but his contributions to global humanitarian efforts will continue to inspire generations.