Zahra Aga Khan

Princess Zahra Aga Khan
Princess Zahra Aga Khan in 2024
Born	(1970-09-18) 18 September 1970 (age 54) Geneva, Switzerland
Spouse	Mark Boyden ​ ​ (m. 1997;div. 2005)​
Issue	Sara Boyden Iliyan Boyden
House	Noorani
Father	Aga Khan IV
Mother	Salimah Aga Khan
Religion	Nizari Ismaili Shia Islam
Occupation	Philanthropist

Princess Zahra Aga Khan (born 18 September 1970) is the eldest child of Aga Khan IV and his first wife, Princess Salimah Aga Khan.

Education

Princess Zahra attended Le Rosey School in Switzerland and received her undergraduate degree cum laude in Development Studies from Harvard University (AB’94). ^[1] She also completed a four-month program at Massachusetts General Hospital to enhance her understanding of healthcare systems and the delivery of advanced medical care, and an Executive Finance course at IMD in Lausanne.

Career

Princess Zahra Aga Khan is a Member of the Board of Directors of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and also sits on the board of several of its affiliated structures, including the Aga Khan Foundation, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, the Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance and the Aga Khan Schools. ^[2]

Her Highness' personal silk : Green, brown cap and epaulets

She has policy and management responsibility for the Health, Education, and Planning and Building Services Companies of the AKDN and their institutions.^{[ citation needed ]}

Personal life

She married British businessman and former model Mark Boyden, an Anglican, in a civil ceremony on 21 June 1997. The wedding was held at the Château de Chantilly near Paris, ^[3] in the presence of guests including King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía of Spain, and Prince Hassan bin Talal of Jordan. The couple divorced in 2005.^{[ citation needed ]}

Princess Zahra and Mark Boyden have a daughter, Sara, and a son, Iliyan.^{[ citation needed ]}

Like her father, Princess Zahra is a fan of thoroughbred racing and has begun racing horses in her own name, the owner-breeder of the Prix Vermeille winner Mandesha. ^[4] She was invited to ride in the King's procession at Royal Ascot 2023. ^[5]

Governance & leadership

• Princess Zahra, the longest-serving member of AKU’s Board of Trustees, has appointed University’s Pro-Chancellor by the Chancellor His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, to serve and act on his behalf. Her appointment was announced by Chair of the Board of Trustees Zakir Mahmood in the Aga Khan University's convocation ceremony in Pakistan on 26th February 2025, as the University paid tribute to its Founder and first Chancellor, His Late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV. ^[6] In the year 2003 Princess Zahra was appointed to the AKU's Board of Trustees at the invitation of its Founder, His late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV. ^[2]
• Princess Zahra is one the founding Trustee of the University of Central Asia (UCA) since 2017 and actively engaged in the University’s governance and strategic direction, appointed by its founder, His late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV. ^[7]
• Princess Zahra has become the In-charge of the management team of the Aga Khan Studs. Upon the passing of her father, His late Highness Aga Khan IV in February 2025, owner and breeder of the Aga Khan Studs. Princess Zahra Aga Khan has been actively involved in the Aga Khan Studs since the 1990s and was represented by her first winner, Daralbayda, in 1996. She currently leading all the running teams of the Aga Khan Studs.
• Princess Zahra is serving as the Centre's Board of Directors of the Global Centre for Pluralism, ^[8] and sits in the France Galop Committee. ^[9]
• Princess Zahra is the President of the Consiglio Direttivo of Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. ^[10]

Titles and honours

The titles Prince and Princess are used by the Aga Khans and their children by virtue of their descent from Shah Fath Ali Shah of the Persian Qajar dynasty. The title was officially recognised by the British government in 1938. ^[11]

Honours

•   USA:
  •   Texas:On October 10, 2019, the Roy M. Huffington Award was presented to Princess Zahra by the Asia Society Texas Center. The Award recognizes leaders who have been a major force on the international stage. ^[12]

•   Kenya:
  • Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (E.G.H.), 8 March 2025) ^[13]

References

1. harvardgazette (2008-05-15). "Princess Zahra outlines the work of Aga Khan Development Network". Harvard Gazette. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
2. "Princess Zahra Aga Khan, Board of Trustees | About AKU | The Aga Khan University". www.aku.edu. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
3. "Royal Weddings in History". Vogue. Archived from the original on 2014-04-07. Retrieved 2013-07-02.
4. McGrath, J. A. Aga Khan collects O'Sullevan award Archived 2018-08-01 at the Wayback Machine , The Telegraph, 22 November 2006. Accessed 20 July 2012.
5. "Ascot Racecourse on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
6. "AKU honours Founder, celebrates class of 2024". Aga Khan Development Network. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
7. "Board of Trustees". ucentralasia.org. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
8. "Board of Directors". Global Centre for Pluralism. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
9. "France Galop Committee". Archived from the original on 2022-08-20. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
10. Studio, Creative Web. "Yacht Club Costa Smeralda - Board of Directors - Club". Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. Retrieved 2025-03-07.
11. Edwards, Anne (1996). Throne of Gold: The Lives of the Aga Khans, New York: William Morrow. ISBN   0-00-215196-0
12. "Asia Society Texas Center Honors Princess Zahra Aga Khan". LCAHouston. 2019-10-22. Archived from the original on 2019-10-29. Retrieved 2019-10-29.
13. Resian, Sharon (2025-03-08). "Ruto honors Aga Khan family members with prestigious state awards". Capital News. Retrieved 2025-03-08.