His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, the spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and a globally influential businessman, has passed away at the age of 88.
According to a statement from the Aga Khan Development Network, he died peacefully on Tuesday in Lisbon, surrounded by his family.
“His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), passed away peacefully in Lisbon on 4 February 2025, aged 88, surrounded by his family,” reads the statement.
The organisation also indicated that his successor would be announced later, stating, “The announcement of his designated successor will follow.”
Ascending to the leadership at just 20 years old in July 1957 following the death of his grandfather, Aga Khan IV spent nearly seven decades shaping the Ismaili Muslim community and expanding his global philanthropic and business empire.
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His influence extended across 30 countries, including several in Africa, with investments valued at over Sh128 billion annually.
Beyond his spiritual leadership, he was the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a conglomerate of agencies dedicated to development, education, health, culture, and economic enterprise.
The statement from the organisation read, “Leaders and staff of the Aga Khan Development Network offer our condolences to the family of His Highness and to the Ismaili community worldwide.”
In Kenya, his impact remains deeply ingrained in various institutions, including the Nation Media Group, the Aga Khan University, the Aga Khan Hospitals, Diamond Trust Bank (DTB), Jubilee Insurance, and the Aga Khan primary and secondary schools.
The Aga Khan Health Services and the Aga Khan Education Services have played a pivotal role in the country’s health and education sectors.
“As we honour 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 across the world, as he wished, irrespective of their religious affiliations or origins,” the statement added.
A prominent figure on the global stage, he held British, French, Swiss, and Portuguese citizenships and was widely recognised for his personal investments in tourism, real estate, and horse breeding.
His wealth, estimated between $800 million and $13 billion, reflected his stature as an international business mogul with a penchant for luxury yachts and jets.
His most recent visit to Kenya was in April 2018, upon invitation by the State, as part of celebrations marking his Diamond Jubilee—60 years of his spiritual leadership.
