Aga Khan IV Dies at 88, Successor Yet to Be Named

Aga Khan IV Dies at 88, Successor Yet to Be Named \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the spiritual leader of millions of Ismaili Muslims, has passed away at 88 in Portugal, surrounded by his family. His successor, named in his sealed will, will be revealed at a later date in Lisbon. The Aga Khan Development Network, which he founded, has invested billions in healthcare, education, and economic development across 30 countries. A Harvard-educated philanthropist and businessman, he dedicated his life to bridging Islamic culture and the modern world. He will be buried in Lisbon, though the date has not been announced.

Aga Khan IV’s Life and Legacy: Quick Looks

• Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, passed away at 88 in Portugal.
• His successor is named in his will, to be revealed before senior religious leaders in Lisbon.
• Born in 1936 near Geneva, he became Aga Khan IV at age 20 while studying at Harvard.
• He led the Aga Khan Development Network, which spends $1 billion annually on global philanthropy.
• His network funded hospitals, schools, and rural development in countries like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Tajikistan.
• A patron of Islamic architecture, he established MIT and Harvard programs and a renowned architecture prize.
• The extent of his personal wealth is unclear, but he managed a multibillion-dollar financial empire.
• Ismaili Muslims tithe up to 10% of their income to him as part of their faith.
• He will be buried in Lisbon, though no date has been announced.
• His passing marks the end of an era for the Ismaili Muslim community and global philanthropy.

Deep Look: Aga Khan IV’s Enduring Legacy of Faith and Philanthropy

The Passing of a Global Spiritual Leader

Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the 49th hereditary imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, has died at the age of 88 in Portugal. His passing marks the end of an era for the Ismaili Muslim community, a group with millions of followers worldwide.

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and the Ismaili religious community announced that he passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family. His successor, named in his sealed will, will be revealed in Lisbon before senior religious leaders.

A Harvard-Educated Leader Chosen for a New Era

Born in 1936 near Geneva, Switzerland, Prince Karim’s journey to leadership was unexpected. At just 20 years old, while studying at Harvard, he was chosen by his grandfather, Aga Khan III, to be his successor—passing over his father, Prince Aly Khan, a well-known socialite.

His grandfather believed the Ismaili community needed a young leader who had been raised in the modern world.

“I was an undergraduate who knew what his work for the rest of his life was going to be,” he told Vanity Fair in 2012.

He became Aga Khan IV on October 19, 1957, during a ceremony in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, at the site where his grandfather was once weighed in diamonds gifted by followers.

A Builder of Institutions and a Champion of Development

Unlike many religious leaders, the Aga Khan spent much of his life in philanthropy and economic development rather than politics.

He founded the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), which today operates in over 30 countries with an annual budget of $1 billion for nonprofit health, education, and rural development.

His projects included:

• Hospitals in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Bangladesh providing essential healthcare.
• Educational institutions worldwide, from schools in Pakistan to universities in Africa.
• Programs for economic development, supporting small businesses and rural farmers.
• The Aga Khan Award for Architecture, which promotes Islamic architectural preservation and innovation.

His eye for design and restoration led him to establish Islamic Architecture programs at Harvard and MIT, as well as restoration projects across the Muslim world.

The Wealth and Influence of the Aga Khan

The financial scope of the Aga Khan’s empire is difficult to measure. Some reports estimate his personal wealth in the billions, though much of his influence came from the Ismaili community’s structured financial system.

• Ismaili Muslims tithe up to 10% of their income to the Aga Khan, seeing him as a spiritual steward.
• His influence extended into real estate, banking, and media enterprises.
• Unlike many religious leaders, he was treated as a head of state, with Queen Elizabeth granting him the title “His Highness” in 1957.

Despite his wealth, he emphasized that Islamic teachings view wealth as a responsibility.

“We have no notion of the accumulation of wealth being evil,” he told Vanity Fair. “If God has given you good fortune, you have a moral responsibility to society.”

A Leader Who Avoided Politics but Built Bridges

Despite his global influence, the Aga Khan was not a political figure. He focused instead on building bridges between the Muslim world and the West, fostering cultural understanding through education and philanthropy.

His approach made him a respected figure beyond the Ismaili community, admired for his modern vision of Islamic leadership.

Succession and the Future of Ismaili Leadership

The Aga Khan’s successor has been named in his will, as per Ismaili tradition, and will be revealed in Lisbon in the presence of family and senior religious leaders.

Traditionally, the successor is chosen from among his male relatives, though the final decision rests solely with the departing leader.

The transition will be closely watched, as the next Aga Khan will inherit not only a spiritual role but also the vast philanthropic and financial empire of the AKDN.

Final Resting Place in Lisbon

The Aga Khan will be buried in Lisbon, Portugal, though no date has been announced.

His passing leaves behind a legacy of faith, philanthropy, and global development, making him one of the most influential Muslim leaders of the modern era.

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