Aga Khan IV, Spiritual Leader and Philanthropist, Passes Away at 88
Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, leaves behind a legacy of religious leadership, global philanthropy, and cultural contributions, with his son Rahim named as his successor.
- Aga Khan IV, the 49th hereditary imam of the Isma'ili Muslim community, died peacefully in Lisbon on February 4, 2025, at the age of 88, surrounded by family.
- Rahim Al-Hussaini, his 53-year-old son, has been named Aga Khan V and will succeed him as the spiritual leader of the Isma'ili Muslims, a community of 12-15 million members worldwide.
- Known for his immense philanthropic efforts, Aga Khan IV founded the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), which employs 96,000 people and funds education, health, and development projects across Africa and Asia.
- He was a prominent figure in horse racing, winning prestigious titles such as the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and was involved in the restoration of Chantilly's historic estate in France.
- Global leaders, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, have paid tribute to his lifelong dedication to promoting peace, tolerance, and humanitarian development.