Mawlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini, the 49th hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslim community and a globally renowned figure for his philanthropy, horse racing triumphs, and opulent lifestyle, passed away in Lisbon, Portugal, at the age of 88.
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and Ismaili are on social media, and details about his successor will follow.
Mawlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini, Agha Khan, was born in Geneva on December 13, 1936. He spent his early years in Nairobi, Kenya, before returning to Switzerland for his education. He attended the prestigious Le Rosey School and later studied Islamic history at Harvard University. At age 20, he succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan, as the spiritual leader of the 15 million Ismailis worldwide.
Agha Khan’s Global Philanthropist
The Aga Khan was a spiritual leader and a visionary philanthropist. In 1967, he established the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of agencies dedicated to improving people’s lives in Africa and Asia’s poorest regions. The network employs 80,000 people and has built schools, hospitals, and infrastructure, providing electricity and essential services to millions.
In a rare 2007 interview with the New York Times, he emphasized the importance of combating poverty to prevent despair and extremism. “If you travel the developing world, you see poverty is the driver of tragic despair, and there is the possibility that any means out will be taken,” he said.
The Aga Khan also gained recognition for his horse racing and breeding achievements. His stables produced legendary thoroughbreds, including Shergar, Sea the Stars, and Sinndar, which captured prestigious races such as the Epsom Derby, the Irish Derby, and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Unfortunately, in 1983, unknown assailants kidnapped Shergar, one of his most famous horses, from Ballymany Stud Farm in Ireland. Despite ransom demands, authorities never found the horse, marking the case as one of the most mysterious in racing history.
Known for his immense wealth, estimated between $800 million and $13 billion, the Aga Khan enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle. His assets included a $200 million super-yacht, a private island in the Bahamas, and a fleet of private jets. His wealth stemmed from family inheritance, horse breeding, tourism, and real estate investments.
The Aga Khan was a unique figure who bridged cultural, religious, and geographical divides. As Vanity Fair noted in a 2013 profile, “Few persons bridge so many divides — between the spiritual and the material; East and West; Muslim and Christian — as gracefully as he does.”
Agha Khan’s Personal Life
The Aga Khan was married twice. His first marriage to Sarah Croker Poole, a former British model, lasted from 1969 to 1995 and produced three children. In 1998, he married Gabriele zu Leiningen, with whom he had a son. The couple divorced in 2014.
The Aga Khan’s legacy extends far beyond his wealth and titles. His commitment to education, healthcare, and economic development has left an indelible mark on millions worldwide. As the Ismaili community and the world mourn his passing, his vision of a more equitable and compassionate world will continue to inspire future generations.
Agha Khan’s Successor
Following the historical Shia Imami Ismaili tradition and practice of nass, Mawlana Shah Karim has designated his successor as the 50th Shia Imami Ismaili Imam. This designation is detailed in Mawlana Shah Karim’s Will, which will be read before the Imam’s family and senior international leaders of the Jamat. The Jamat will receive notification about the declared Hazar Imam, who carries the Nur in an unbroken hereditary line from Mawlana Ali (AS).
For additional details and to view related events, please visit The Ismaili TV for diverse programming at https://tv.ismaili/.
