The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) chairman Prince Karim Al-Hussaini passed away on Tuesday in Lisbon, Portugal.
Announcing his death, AKDN said the 88-year-old passed away peacefully, 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,” it said.
The network added that the announcement of his designated successor will follow.
The Ismaili community’s website says the successor is set to be chosen from among Prince Karim’s male progeny or other relatives.
Who was Al-Hussaini
Prince Karim was born on December 13, 1936, to Prince Aly Khan and his first wife, Princess Taj-ud-dawlah Aga Khan, formerly Joan Yarde-Buller.
Being a competitive downhill skier, he skied for Iran in the 1964 Winter Olympics.
Prince Karim, who was known by his title, the Aga Khan, was the founder and chairman of the AKDN and the spiritual leader of the millions of Shia Ismailis.
He was The Aga Khan IV and 49th hereditary imam of the Shia Ismailis.
The Shia Ismailis are a branch of Shia Islam, specifically within the Nizari Ismaili sect, which is the largest group of Ismailis.
They follow a living and hereditary Imam, whom they believe to be the direct descendant of Ali ibn Abi Talib(the first Shia Imam) and Fatima (daughter of Prophet Muhammad).
Prince Karim became the Shia Ismailis’ spiritual leader at 20 years in 1957, as a Harvard undergraduate.
His appointment bypassed his father, as his grandfather, Aga Khan III, believed a younger leader would be better suited for modern challenges.
Then, his grandfather said his followers should be led by a young man "who has been brought up in the midst of the new age."
In July 1957, the Aga Khan was given the title of “His Highness” by Queen Elizabeth.
He became the Aga Khan IV on October 19, 1957, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
In 1959 he founded the Nation Media Group which among others owns Daily Nation and NTV.
His eye for building and design led him to establish an architecture prize, and programs for Islamic Architecture at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard.
He restored ancient Islamic structures throughout the world.
Under the AKDN, Prince Karim established the Aga Khan University (AKU) in Karachi, Pakistan and other branches worldwide.
He also built hospitals, clinics and public health programmes in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Among these, Kenya benefited with Aga Khan Academy, AKU and Aga Khan Hospital.
He restored the historical Islamic sites in Cairo, Kabul and Delhi through the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC).
He has worked with organisations like the United Nations, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the World Bank.
Aga Khan IV became the first faith leader to address the Joint Session of the Parliament of Canada on February 27, 2014.
He owned and operated the largest horse racing and breeding operation in France, the French horse auction house, Arqana, Gilltown Stud near Kilcullen in Ireland, and other breeding/stud farms in Europe.
Prince Karim is survived by three sons and a daughter.
