Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims worldwide, has passed away at the age of 88. A private TV channel reported his death on Wednesday.
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) confirmed the news in a social media post, stating, “His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and a direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), passed away peacefully in Lisbon on 4 February 2025, surrounded by his family.”
The post did not provide details about the funeral date or location.
Prince Karim Aga Khan was a British citizen and the spiritual guide for over 12 million Ismaili Muslims. Many believe he was a direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad through his daughter, Hazrat Bibi Fatima, and son-in-law, Hazrat Ali (may God be pleased with them).
He became the Aga Khan at the age of 20 in 1957, inheriting the title from his grandfather. He was the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network, a global organization dedicated to improving quality of life worldwide.
The AKDN expressed condolences to his family and the global Ismaili community, saying, “As we honour the legacy of our founder, we remain committed to his vision of improving lives, regardless of religion or origin.”
Born in Switzerland, Prince Karim Aga Khan spent much of his life in France and held British citizenship. He was married to British model Sally Croker-Poole in 1969, with whom he had three children. His eldest son, Prince Rahim, 53, is expected to succeed him as the next Aga Khan.
