Shah Karim al-Husseini[a] (13 December 1936 – 4 February 2025), known as the Aga Khan IV,[b] was the 49th imam of Nizari Isma'ilism from 1957 until his death in 2025. He inherited the Nizari imamate and the title of Aga Khan at the age of 20 upon the death of his grandfather, the Aga Khan III.[2] During his imamate, he was also known by the religious title Mawlānā Hazar Imam by his Isma'ili followers.[3][4][5][6][7][8]
Al-Husseini's net worth was estimated at over US$13.3 billion by Vanity Fair in 2013.[9]Forbes included al-Husseini in its list of the world’s fifteen richest royals, though he held no political sovereignty or territorial authority. The designation referred to his hereditary role as Imam of the Nizari Ismailis, not to any formal royal or monarchical status.[10] He was the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network, one of the largest private development networks in the world.
Karim al-Husseini was born in Geneva, Switzerland, on 13 December 1936, the eldest son of Aly Khan (1911–1960) and his first wife, Taj-ud-dawlah Aga Khan (formerly Joan Yarde-Buller, 1908–1997). His mother was the eldest daughter of the British peer John Yarde-Buller, 3rd Baron Churston.[11]
He was declared healthy despite being born prematurely.[12] His brother, Amyn Aga Khan, was born a year later in 1937. In 1949, his parents divorced in part due to his father's extramarital affairs,[13] and shortly after, he married American actress Rita Hayworth—with whom he had a daughter, Yasmin Aga Khan, the half-sister of al-Husseini.[14][15]
He also had a half-brother, Patrick Benjamin Guinness (1931–1965), from his mother's first marriage, as Joan Yarde-Buller was previously married to Loel Guinness of the banking Guinnesses.[16]
When his grandfather died, he was thrust into the position of the Aga Khan. At the time of his accession to the Imamate in 1957, Karim al-Husseini was a university student. Reflecting on the transition, he later stated that he had to set aside plans for further academic study in order to assume his new responsibilities as Imam.[16] He graduated from Harvard University in 1959, two years after ascending the imamate, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history (with Cum Laude honours) and his varsity H for the Harvard Crimson men's soccer team.[21][16]
Following the death of his grandfather the Aga Khan III, al-Husseini became the 49th Imam of the Nizari Ismailis and Aga Khan IV at the age of 20, bypassing his father, Aly Khan, and his uncle, Sadruddin Aga Khan, who were in direct line to succession. In his will, his grandfather explained the rationale for choosing his eldest grandson as his successor (which marked the second time in the history of the Nizari Ismaili chain of Imamat that a grandson of the preceding Imam – instead of one of his sons – was made the next imam):
In view of the fundamentally altered conditions in the world has provoked many changes, including the discoveries of atomic science, I am convinced that it is in the best interests of the Nizari Ismaili community that I should be succeeded by a young man who has been brought up and developed during recent years and in the midst of the new age, and who brings a new outlook on life to his office.[23]
In light of his grandfather's will, al-Husseini was sometimes referred to by Nizari Ismailis as the "Imam of the Atomic Age".[24] His grandfather's will stated that the next Aga Khan, in the first several years of his Imamat, should look to his grandmother, Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan, for guidance on general matters pertaining to the Imamat.[25]
Upon assuming the Imamate, al-Husseini stated his intention to continue his grandfather's efforts in developing modern institutions aimed at improving the welfare of the Nizari Ismaili community.[26] Takht nashini (installation) ceremonies were held at multiple locations between 1957 and 1958. During these events, he addressed themes such as interethnic and interfaith cooperation,[27] including appeals for improved relations among different communities in East Africa and the Indian subcontinent.
In 1972, during the tenure of President Idi Amin, people of South Asian origin, including Nizari Ismailis, were expelled from Uganda. The South Asians, some of whose families had lived in Uganda for over 100 years, were given 90 days to leave the country.[28] Al-Husseini phoned his long-time friend, Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. Trudeau's government agreed to allow thousands of Nizari Ismailis to immigrate to Canada.[29] Al-Husseini also undertook urgent steps to facilitate the resettlement of Nizari Ismailis displaced from Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, and Myanmar to other countries.[30] Most of these Nizari Ismailis found new homes in Asia, Europe, and North America.[31] Most of the initial resettlement problems were overcome rapidly by Nizari Ismailis due to their educational backgrounds and high rates of literacy, as well as the efforts of the host countries, along with support from Nizari Ismaili community programmes.[32]
Al-Husseini encouraged members of the Nizari Ismaili community in industrialised countries to support development initiatives in regions with significant Ismaili populations.[33] He described the role of the Imam as including both the interpretation of religious doctrine and attention to the social conditions of the community, a position he articulated in a 2006 speech in Germany.[12][34] In public statements, he also emphasised the importance of engagement with the broader societies in which Ismailis reside.[35]
Al-Husseini was one of the several Shia signatories of the 2004 Amman Message which gives a broad foundation for defining those denominations of Islam that should be considered as part of the wider Muslim Ummah.[36]
I have two reactions to the pope's lecture: There is my concern about the degradation of relations and, at the same time, I see an opportunity. A chance to talk about a serious, important issue: the relationship between religion and logic.[37]
When he was asked about his view on the consumption of alcohol in a 1965 interview with The Sunday Times, al-Husseini said, in line with Muslim teaching:
Our belief is that the thing which separates man from the animals is his power of thought. Anything that impedes this process is wrong. Therefore, alcohol is forbidden. I have never touched alcohol. But this, to me, is not a puritan prohibition. I don't want to drink. I've never wanted to drink. There's no pressure being placed on me by my religion.[38]
He became the first faith leader to address the Joint Session of the Parliament of Canada on 27 February 2014.[39]
Silver Jubilee Year of Imamat
From 11 July 1982 to 11 July 1983—to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his accession to the Imamat—many new social and economic development projects were launched.[40] These range from the establishment of the US$450 million international Aga Khan University with its Faculty of Health Sciences and teaching hospital based in Karachi,[41] the expansion of schools for girls and medical centres in the Hunza region[42] (one of the remote parts of Northern Pakistan bordering China and Afghanistan that is densely populated with Nizari Ismailis), to the establishment of the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme[43] in Gujarat, India – and the extension of existing urban hospitals and primary health care centres in Tanzania and Kenya.[44]
Golden Jubilee Year of Imamat
The period from 11 July 2007 to 13 December 2008 marked the fiftieth anniversary of al-Husseini’s tenure as Imam. To commemorate the occasion, representatives from Nizari Ismaili communities around the world convened at his residence for a formal gathering.[45] As part of the occasion, al-Husseini conducted official visits to several countries. These visits included meetings with heads of state and government officials, and were used to discuss ongoing development work and future initiatives related to the Ismaili community.[46] Areas of the world visited included the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. During his visit to Houston in Texas, he announced the establishment of the Ismaili Center Houston.[47][48]
In 2008, al-Husseini organized the Jubilee Games: a Nizari Ismaili sports meet in Kenya, to which teams of Nizari Ismailis from different areas of the world came to compete.[49] The event was first named the Golden Jubilee Games but continued as the Jubilee Games. The second Jubilee Games were held in Dubai, UAE, in July 2016.[50]
Diamond Jubilee Year of Imamat
The period from 11 July 2017 to 11 July 2018 marked the Diamond Jubilee of Karim al-Husseini’s 60th year as Imam.[51] He travelled throughout the Diamond Jubilee year to countries where his humanitarian institutions operate. There were many concerts, a Jubilee Arts festival, and other events planned for tens of thousands of people. On 11 July 2018, following a historic agreement with the Portuguese Republic in 2015, al-Husseini formally designated the Henrique de Mendonça Palace in Lisbon as the Seat of the Ismaili Imamat, naming it the “Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat”.[52]
In 1986, al-Husseini promulgated a constitution for the Nizari Ismaili community, which was later amended in 1998. The document outlined the structure of communal governance and codified institutional frameworks across national contexts. Its preamble referenced core Islamic tenets and articulated the Imam's role as defined within Nizari Ismaili doctrine, including authority in both religious and communal matters. The constitution was intended to provide organisational consistency and flexibility for community practices in diverse social and legal environments.[53]
Al-Husseini's racing horse businesses brought in considerable income.[54] 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.[54]
He operated a large horse racing and breeding operation at his estate Aiglemont, in the town of Gouvieux in the Picardy region of France – about 4 kilometres (2+1⁄2 miles) west of the Chantilly Racecourse. In 1977, he paid £1.3million for the bloodstock owned by Anna Dupré and in 1978, £4.7 million for the bloodstock of Marcel Boussac.[55] He was said to be France's most influential owner-breeder and record winner of The Prix de Diane, sometimes referred to as the French Oaks.[56]
In 2006, he became the majority shareholder of French horse auction house Arqana.[54]
On 27 October 2009 it was announced that Sea the Stars, regarded by many as one of the greatest racehorses of all time, would stand stud at his Gilltown Stud in Ireland.[59]
Al-Husseini was the lead owner of Shergar, the Irish racehorse that was kidnapped from Ballymany stud farm in County Kildare, Ireland, by masked men in 1983 and held for ransom. He and the other co-owners refused to pay a ransom, and the horse was not recovered.[63] Following the abduction of Shergar in 1983, al-Husseini, law enforcement, and members of the public suspected the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), although the group denied involvement. In 1999, former IRA member Sean O'Callaghan claimed in his autobiography that the IRA had carried out the abduction. Shergar had become a prominent symbol in Ireland, and the incident prompted public backlash, including among individuals sympathetic to the republican cause.[64]
Other business ventures
Al-Husseini was involved in multiple business ventures, in such areas as communications media and luxury hotels. In 1959 he founded the Kenyan media company Nation Media Group,[65] which among others owns Daily Nation and Sunday Nation.[66]
In the 1990s, he had a group of US$400 a night Italian luxury hotels, called Ciga. Through his for-profit AKFED, he was the largest shareholder in the Serena Hotels chain.[67]
Al-Husseini founded and chaired the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of over 200 affiliated agencies and institutions operating primarily in developing countries. AKDN employs approximately 80,000 staff.[68] It is funded through contributions from members of the Ismaili community as well as partnerships with various governments and international organisations. AKDN’s work spans sectors including health, education, culture, rural development, institutional support, and economic development, with a particular focus on regions in the Global South.[69]
In a 2006 speech at the Evangelische Akademie Tutzing, where he received the Tolerance Prize, al-Husseini noted his reservations about characterising the work of the Aga Khan Development Network as philanthropy:
Reflecting a certain historical tendency of the West to separate the secular from the religious, they often describe [the work of the AKDN] either as philanthropy or entrepreneurship. What is not understood is that this work is for us a part of our institutional responsibility – it flows from the mandate of the office of Imam to improve the quality of worldly life for the concerned communities.[34]
In March 2019, al-Husseini was named the Global Founding Patron of the Prince’s Trust Group by Charles, then the Prince of Wales.[80] The appointment was announced at a dinner at Buckingham Palace. According to the Prince’s Trust Group, his support has contributed to programmes that reached over 30,000 young people between 2019 and 2025.[81]
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is a founding partner of the Paris Peace Forum. The Forum was launched on the 100th anniversary of the Armistice, marking the end of World War I.[82] The Paris Peace Forum is an international multi-stakeholder platform dedicated to global governance solutions. AKDN is a Strategic Partner and represent itself in the Governance of the Forum's Executive Committee and General Assembly.[83]
Promotion of Islamic architecture
In 1977, al-Husseini established the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, an award recognising excellence in architecture that encompasses contemporary design and social, historical, and environmental considerations. It is the largest architectural award in the world (prize money for which is a million US dollars) and is granted triennially.[84] The award grew out of the Aga Khan's desire to revitalise creativity in Islamic societies and acknowledge creative solutions for buildings facilities and public spaces.[85] The prize winner is selected by an independent master jury convened for each cycle.[86]
In 1979, Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) established the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture (AKPIA), which is supported by an endowment from al-Husseini. These programs provide degree courses, public lectures, and conferences for the study of Islamic architecture and urbanism. Understanding contemporary conditions and developmental issues are key components of the academic program.[87] The program engages in research at both institutions and students can graduate with a Master of Science of Architectural Studies specialising in the Aga Khan program from MIT's Department of Architecture.[88]
In 1964, Sports Illustrated wrote that despite Karim al-Husseini's reputation as "a gallivanting jet-setter who wants his horses, cars and women to be fast", he avoided most parties, never appeared in gossip columns, and had been associated with only one woman for the previous five years.[16] In 1969, al-Husseini married former British model Sarah Frances Croker Poole, who assumed the name Begum Salimah Aga Khan upon marrying him. Sarah Frances was a divorcee, having previously been married to Lord James Charles Crichton-Stuart, son of John Crichton-Stuart, 5th Marquess of Bute.
The wedding ceremonies were held on 22 October 1969 (civil) and 28 October 1969 (religious) at Karim Aga Khan's home in Paris. Al-Husseini and Begum Salimah had one daughter and two sons together, Zahra Aga Khan (born 18 September 1970), Rahim Aga Khan (born 12 October 1971), and Hussain Aga Khan (born 10 April 1974).[89] By 1984, al-Husseini and Begum Salimah had taken to living separate lives.[90] In 1994, the couple's divorce was made public.[91]
On 30 May 1998, al-Husseini married for the second time at his chateau Aiglemont, in Gouvieux, France. The bride was Gabriele Renate Thyssen, who assumed the name Begum Inaara Aga Khan at her wedding. Born to Roman Catholic German entrepreneur parents in 1963, Gabriele was twenty-seven years younger to al-Husseini. She was also a divorcee, having previously been married to Prince Karl Emich of Leiningen, by whom she had a daughter, Teresa. On 7 March 2000, two years after the wedding, a son, Aly Muhammad Aga Khan, was born. On 8 October 2004, after six years of marriage, the couple announced they would be getting divorced.[92][93] In September 2011, seven years later, a divorce settlement was reached between them in the French courts, and the divorce settlement amount was agreed upon in March 2014.[94]
Karim al-Husseini in 2014
Al-Husseini was an ardent yachtsman. He founded the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, in 1967. Since then, Karim Aga Khan IV served as the Club’s President, guiding it to achievements that have shaped the history of Italian sailing and established the YCCS as an international benchmark in the yachting world. He also owned several yachts, including a 164-foot yacht, Alamshar, named after a prized racehorse of his,[95] with a price tag of £100 million.[96]
In 2009, Forbes reported that al-Husseini's net worth was US$1 billion.[98]Vanity Fair estimated his fortune to be well over US$1 billion.[99]Forbes described al-Husseini as one of the world's fifteen richest royals, and Vanity Fair said that an estimate of his net worth made shortly before January 2013 was $13.3 billion.[9] Unlike many individuals commonly referred to as royalty, al-Husseini did not hold sovereignty over any geographic territory.[10] He owned hundreds of racehorses, valuable stud farms, an exclusive yacht club on Sardinia,[100]Bell Island in the Bahamas,[101]Bombardier jets customized and designed to suit his Personal Standard, a £100 million high speed yacht Alamshar, and several estates around the world, with his primary residence at Aiglemont estate in the town of Gouvieux, France, north of Paris. Al-Husseini's philanthropic non-profit institutions spend about US$1 billion per year—mainly in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.[102]
Death
Al-Husseini died aged 88 at his residence in Lisbon, Portugal, on 4 February 2025.[103][104] In his will, he designated his son Rahim Al-Hussaini to succeed him as Aga Khan V, the 50th imam of Isma'ilism.[105][106] Canadian prime minister at the time, Justin Trudeau, Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, and United Nations secretary-general António Guterres were among those publicly paying tribute to al-Husseini following his death.[107]
A private funeral ceremony was held for him in Lisbon on 8 February. Portuguese officials including president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and mayor of Lisbon Carlos Moedas were among the attendees, alongside community leaders and foreign dignitaries including Trudeau and former Spanish king Juan Carlos I.[108][109][110] On 9 February, he was buried at the Mausoleum of Aga Khan in Aswan, Egypt, also his grandfather's resting place.[111]
The Aga Khans claim the titles of Prince and Princess by virtue of their descent from Fath Ali Shah of the Persian Qajar dynasty. The title was officially recognised by the British government in 1938.[112]
Author Farhad Daftary wrote of how the honorific title Aga Khan (from Agha and Khan) was first given to Hasan Ali Shah (The Aga Khan I) at the age of thirteen when he, as the young Imam, with his mother decided to go to the Qajar court in Tehran to obtain justice upon his father's death and was eventually successful. Those who had been involved in murder were punished. "At the same time, the Qajar monarch bestowed on him the honorific title (laqab) of Agha Khan (also transcribed as Aqa Khan), meaning lord and master." Daftary additionally commented, "The title of Agha Khan remained hereditary amongst his successors."[113]
In 1957, following the death of his grandfather, Karim al-Husseini was granted the style of His Highness by Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. The title had previously been granted to Aga Khan III by the British Crown in 1887 and was extended to his successor shortly after his accession as Imam.[114]
↑ Stevenson, John Fell (10 November 1957). "My College Room Mate Rules 10 Million". This Week. New York: Joseph P. Knapp.
↑ "Khan of Harvard". Life. Vol.45, no.18. Chicago: Henry Luce. 3 November 1958. Archived from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
↑ "Aly Khān's Son, 20, New Aga Khan", The New York Times, 13 July 1957, p. 1
↑ Thobani, Akbarali (1993). Islam's Quiet Revolutionary: The Story of Aga Khan the Fourth. Vantage Press.
↑ Van Grondelle, Marco. "The Shi'a Imami (Nizari) Ismailis and British Foreign- and Colonial Policy"(PDF). Self. Archived from the original(PDF) on 27 August 2010. Retrieved 22 April 2012. I desire that my successor shall during the first seven years of his Imamate be guided on questions of general Imamate policy by my said wife the Begum Aga Khan who has been familiar for many years with the problems facing my followers and in whose wise judgement I place the greatest confidence.
1 2 Address by His Highness the Aga Khan to the Tuting Evangelical Academy Upon Receiving the "Tolerance" Award. Germany: akdn.org. 20 May 2006.
↑ Address by His Highness the Aga Khan at Graduation Ceremony of the Masters of Public Affairs Programme at the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris. Paris: akdn.org/speeches/2007June15_en. 15 June 2007.
↑ Coleridge, Nicholas (March 1994). Paper Tigers: The Latest, Greatest Newspaper Tycoons (1st Carol Pub. Grouped.). Secaucus, NJ: Birch Lane Pr. ISBN978-1559722155.
↑ Veage, John (14 February 2017). "Yesterday in Paradise". St George & Sutherland Shire Leader. Archived from the original on 14 February 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
↑ Jackson, Candace (29 July 2011). "My Own Private Island". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 7 January 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
↑ Who We are - AKDN, 8 December 2008, archived from the original on 28 September 2022, retrieved 11 April 2025
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