Billionaire philanthropist and spiritual leader His Highness the Aga Khan has passed away at the age of 88, the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) has announced.
Prince Karim Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary imam of the Ismaili Muslims and a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, died peacefully in Lisbon on February 4, 2025, surrounded by his family, according to a statement from AKDN.
His successor will be announced soon, the organization said, adding, “As 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 worldwide, as he wished, irrespective of their religious affiliations or origins.”
Aga Khan IV assumed leadership in 1957 at the age of 20, following the passing of his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III. Over the past six decades, he dedicated his life to humanitarian efforts, focusing on poverty alleviation, education, healthcare, and promoting Islam as a faith of compassion, tolerance, and dignity.
Through the Aga Khan Development Network, he played a crucial role in advancing development initiatives in various countries, impacting millions of lives globally.
