The Aga Khan dead at 88: Spiritual leader, philanthropist and one of the world's richest men passes away in Lisbon

The Aga Khan, a spiritual leader, philanthropist and 1 of the world's richest men, has died aged 88.

Most often successful the nationalist oculus acknowledgment to his racehorses, the British national was the spiritual person of 12 cardinal members of the Ismaili sect of Islam. 

Some judge helium was a nonstop descendent of the Prophet Mohammed done his daughter, Hazrat Bibi Fatima, and the Prophet’s relative and son-in-law, Hazrat Ali.

He inherited his rubric from his gramps successful 1957 aged of conscionable 20 and is believed by his followers to beryllium 'the bringer of life'. 

In spite of his sometimes turbulent backstage beingness helium remained revered for the worldwide charitable works helium has directed funds to. 

In an announcement connected societal media, the Aga Khan Development Network said: 'His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and nonstop descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace beryllium upon him), passed distant peacefully successful Lisbon connected 4 February 2025, aged 88, surrounded by his family. 

'Prince Karim Aga Khan was the laminitis and president of the Aga Khan Development Network. The announcement of his designated successor volition follow. 

'Leaders and unit of the Aga Khan Development Network connection our condolences to the household of His Highness and to the Ismaili assemblage worldwide. 

'As we honour the bequest of our founder, Prince Karim Aga Khan, we proceed to enactment with our partners to amended the prime of beingness for individuals and communities crossed the world, arsenic helium wished, irrespective of their spiritual affiliations oregon origins.'

The Aga Khan, whose ancestors fled Persia for India 2 centuries ago, was calved successful Switzerland and spent overmuch of his aboriginal beingness successful France, contempt having British citizenship. He died successful Lisbon, Portugal.

His archetypal woman was British exemplary Sally Croker-Poole, who helium joined successful 1969. They had 2 sons and a daughter. Eldest lad Prince Rahim, 53, is expected to beryllium his authoritative successor. 

That archetypal matrimony ended aft 25 years, and helium joined Princess Gabrielle successful 1998 astatine his immense Aiglemont estate, adjacent Paris. She is simply a German erstwhile popular vocalist who converted to Islam for her marriage, and adopted the caller sanction of Inaara.

The mates had a son, but aft six years announced their separation.

The Aga Khan's immense wealthiness allowed him to tally a £100m yacht, named Alamshar aft 1 of his racehorses. He besides owned the infamous Shergar, who was stolen by gunmen successful Ireland successful 1983 and ne'er seen again. 

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