Prince Karim Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of 15 million Ismailis, passed away at 88 in Lisbon, Portugal. The news was confirmed by the Aga Khan Development Network on social media.
Born in Geneva in 1936, Prince Karim became the 49th hereditary Imam of the Ismaili community at just 20 years old, following the death of his grandfather. Over the decades, he played a vital role in philanthropy, development, and international diplomacy.
Apart from his religious leadership, he was known for his passion for horse racing, with legendary thoroughbreds like Shergar making headlines. He also had vast investments in tourism, real estate, and business, funding humanitarian projects across Africa and Asia.
The Aga Khan established the Aga Khan Development Network in 1967, an organization that has since provided education, healthcare, and infrastructure to millions in underprivileged regions.
