The Aga Khan IV, the spiritual leader of millions of Ismaili Muslims and a global philanthropist who channeled his vast wealth into humanitarian efforts, passed away Tuesday at the age of 88. His family and the Ismaili religious community confirmed his death in Portugal.
His successor has been designated in his will, which will be read in Lisbon in the presence of family and religious leaders before being publicly announced. No date has been set for the announcement.
Born Prince Karim Al-Hussaini on December 13, 1936, near Geneva, Switzerland, the Aga Khan IV inherited leadership of the Ismaili Muslim community at the age of 20 while studying at Harvard University. His grandfather, Aga Khan III, bypassed his own son—Karim’s father—believing the community needed a young leader “brought up in the midst of the new age.”
For more than six decades, he transformed his role into one that combined spiritual guidance with global philanthropy, spearheading projects in health care, education, housing, and economic development through the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). The organization operates in over 30 countries with an estimated annual budget of one billion dollars dedicated to nonprofit development.
Hospitals bearing his name have provided crucial medical care in underprivileged regions, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Tajikistan. He also established architectural programs at Harvard and MIT and funded the restoration of Islamic cultural landmarks.
The extent of the Aga Khan’s financial empire remains difficult to quantify, though estimates suggest his wealth reached billions. The Ismaili community, originally based in India and now spread across Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East, traditionally tithes up to 12.5 percent of their income to support his initiatives.
“We have no notion of the accumulation of wealth being evil,” he told Vanity Fair in 2012. “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.”
A lover of equestrian sports, the Aga Khan was an esteemed horse breeder and even represented Iran as a skier in the 1964 Winter Olympics.
His passing prompted an outpouring of condolences from global leaders and organizations. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called him “an extraordinarily compassionate global leader” and “a very good friend.”
Granted the title of “His Highness” by Queen Elizabeth II in 1957, the Aga Khan was regarded as a bridge between Muslim societies and the West, often remaining apolitical despite his influence.
The Aga Khan will be buried in Lisbon, though funeral details have yet to be announced. He is survived by three sons, a daughter, and several grandchildren.
