In brief
Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary imam of Ismaili Muslims, died peacefully in Lisbon, Portugal, his charity stated. He was a prominent figure globally, known for his humanitarian work and significant contributions to education and health.
Aga Khan, born in Switzerland and a British citizen, made his mark forming an extensive charity network that operated numerous hospitals and cultural initiatives. Friends and world leaders have paid tribute to his remarkable life and impact.The article text:Billionaire philanthropist and spiritual leader Aga Khan has died at the age of 88, his charity, the Aga Khan Development Network, has announced. Prince Karim Aga Khan was the 49th hereditary imam of the Ismaili Muslims, who say they are direct descendants of the Prophet Muhammad. He "passed away peacefully" in Lisbon, Portugal, surrounded by his family, as stated by his charity on social media.Born in Switzerland, he held British citizenship and resided in a chateau in France. King Charles is reportedly saddened by the loss of his friend, who was close to both him and the late Queen Elizabeth II. The Aga Khan's charities managed numerous hospitals, educational, and cultural projects, mainly in the developing world. He enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle, owning a private island in the Bahamas, a super-yacht, and a private jet. The Aga Khan Development Network expressed its condolences to His Highness’s family and the global Ismaili community. They emphasized their commitment to improving lives across communities, regardless of religious affiliations or origins, as the Aga Khan wished. A successor, who will be one of his male descendants, is to be announced soon.The Ismailis, a Shia Muslim sect, honor various Imams, including Imam Ismail, who passed away in 765 AD. They have around 15 million members globally, with large populations in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, and parts of Africa. Succeeding his grandfather as imam of the Ismaili Muslims in 1957 at just 20 years old, the prince was estimated to have a fortune of $1 billion in 2008, thanks to diverse business interests including horse breeding. He founded the Aga Khan Foundation charity and also established notable institutions like a university in Karachi and the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at Harvard University and MIT. The Aga Khan Trust for Culture played a crucial role in restoring Delhi's Humayun's Tomb.Tributes poured in following his death. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed him as a "man of vision, faith, and generosity." Activist and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai noted that his legacy endures through his myriad contributions to education and health. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called him a "symbol of peace, tolerance, and compassion."Beyond his humanitarian efforts, the Aga Khan was a leading owner and breeder of racehorses in the UK, France, and Ireland, famously associated with Shergar, who won the Derby in 1981 but was kidnapped in Ireland two years later, never to be found. Remembering Shergar, the Aga Khan stated in a 2011 BBC interview, "It’s a memory that can never, never go away." Over his career, he also won the Epsom Derby four more times with different horses.
