The Aga Khan spoke at the Memorial Church on Harvard University’s campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on November 12, 2015. As the spiritual leader of millions of Muslims, he discussed the challenges of building a diverse and inclusive society. REUTERS
The Aga Khan, a respected spiritual leader known for his immense wealth, passion for horse racing, and global development efforts, has passed away at the age of 88 in Lisbon. His death was confirmed by the Aga Khan Development Network, which also announced that details about his successor would be shared soon.
As the 49th hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslim community, the Aga Khan led around 15 million followers worldwide. Apart from his religious leadership, he was widely recognized for his achievements in horse racing, with the legendary thoroughbred Shergar among his most famous racehorses.
A Life of Wealth and Philanthropy
Born Prince Shah Karim Al Husseini on December 13, 1936, in Geneva, Switzerland, he spent his early years in Nairobi, Kenya. He later returned to Switzerland for schooling at the prestigious Le Rosey School before studying Islamic history at Harvard University in the United States.
In 1957, at just 20 years old, he inherited the role of Aga Khan after his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan, passed away. His grandfather chose him over his own son, Prince Aly Khan, who was once married to Hollywood actress Rita Hayworth.
The Aga Khan was believed by his followers to be a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad through the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law, Ali, and his daughter Fatima. He was the fourth holder of the title, which was first granted in the 1830s by the Persian emperor to his great-great-grandfather.
Despite his luxurious lifestyle, which included private jets, a $200 million yacht, and a private island in the Bahamas, he dedicated much of his wealth to philanthropic efforts. Through the Aga Khan Development Network, founded in 1967, he established hospitals, schools, and power supply projects across Africa and Asia, employing over 80,000 people.
"If you travel the developing world, you see poverty is the driver of tragic despair," he once said, emphasizing that economic development could prevent extremism.
A Passion for Horse Racing
Though he initially questioned whether to continue his family’s long-standing tradition of horse breeding, he became deeply involved in the sport after winning the French owners’ championship in his first season.
He described horse racing as an exciting challenge, comparing it to playing chess with nature. His stables, known for their emerald-green silk livery, produced several champions, including Sea the Stars, Sinndar, and Shergar.
Shergar, his most famous horse, was kidnapped in Ireland in 1983. A ransom was demanded, but neither the horse nor its captors were ever found. The mystery remains one of horse racing’s greatest unsolved cases.
A Global Figure
The Aga Khan held multiple citizenships, including British, French, Swiss, and Portuguese. He was known for blending business with philanthropy, owning companies in various industries, such as banking and pharmaceuticals.
He was married twice—first to British model Sarah Croker Poole, with whom he had three children, and later to German-born Gabriele zu Leiningen, with whom he had a son. Both marriages ended in divorce.
In 2013, a well-known magazine described him as a man who gracefully bridged spiritual and material worlds, connecting East and West, and fostering unity between Muslims and Christians.
