Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims around the world has died. He was 88. A private TV channel reported on Wednesday.
As per the report, the Aga Khan Development Network said in a post on social media : ‘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.”
The post did not mention the date and venue of the funeral.
He was a British citizen and the spiritual leader of 12 million members of the Ismaili sect. Some believe he was a direct descendent of the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) through his daughter, Hazrat Bibi Fatima (may God be pleased with her), and the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law, Hazrat Ali (may God be pleased with him).
He inherited his title from his grandfather in 1957 aged of just 20 .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 condolences to the family of His Highness and to the Ismaili community worldwide.
‘As we honour 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 across the world, as he wished, irrespective of their religious affiliations or origins.’
The Aga Khan, whose ancestors fled Persia for India two centuries ago, was born in Switzerland and spent much of his later life in France, despite having British citizenship. He died in Lisbon, Portugal. His first wife was British model Sally Croker-Poole, who he married in 1969. They had two sons and a daughter. Eldest son Prince Rahim, 53, is expected to be his official successor.
