Billionaire and spiritual leader Aga Khan passes away at 88

Billionaire philanthropist and spiritual leader Aga Khan has passed away at the age of 88, as confirmed by his charity, the Aga Khan Development Network.

Prince Karim Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, had a direct lineage to the Prophet Muhammad. According to a statement shared by his charity on social media, he "passed away peacefully" in Lisbon, Portugal, surrounded by his family.

Born in Switzerland, Aga Khan held British citizenship and spent much of his life in a French chateau.

King Charles expressed his sorrow at the death of his friend, Aga Khan, who was also close to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. The King has privately reached out to the Aga Khan's family to offer condolences.

Aga Khan’s philanthropic organizations have managed numerous hospitals, educational initiatives, and cultural projects, primarily in developing countries.

Despite his philanthropic efforts, Aga Khan lived an opulent lifestyle, which included owning a private island in the Bahamas, a superyacht, and a private jet.

The Aga Khan Development Network shared its condolences with the Aga Khan’s family and the Ismaili community worldwide.

The charity emphasized its ongoing commitment to improving the quality of life for communities across the globe, as he wished, regardless of religious or cultural backgrounds.

The Ismaili Muslims, a sect within Islam, number about 15 million worldwide, with significant populations in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, and parts of Africa.

In 1957, at the age of 20, Prince Karim succeeded his grandfather as the Imam of the Ismailis.

Aga Khan was also a highly successful businessman, with an estimated net worth of $1 billion (£801 million) in 2008, as reported by Forbes. His wealth stemmed not only from his inherited fortune but also from investments in various businesses, particularly in horse breeding.

Aga Khan was well-known for his involvement in horse racing and breeding. His prized racehorse, Shergar, won the Epsom Derby in 1981 by a commanding 10 lengths.

However, Shergar was kidnapped in 1983 and never recovered. Despite this, Aga Khan continued his breeding operations in Ireland and reflected fondly on Shergar’s achievements in later years.

Beyond his passion for horses, Aga Khan devoted much of his life to philanthropy. He founded the Aga Khan Foundation, which operates various educational, healthcare, and cultural programs.

His legacy includes creating the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at Harvard and MIT, as well as leading restoration efforts at Humayun's Tomb in Delhi. He also established the Nation Media Group, the largest independent media company in East and Central Africa.

Global leaders have paid tribute to Aga Khan. Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, praised him as a "man of vision, faith, and generosity" who championed causes like poverty alleviation, gender equality, and healthcare.

Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai expressed her condolences, saying his legacy would live on through his work in education and development worldwide.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres also honored Aga Khan, calling him a "symbol of peace, tolerance, and compassion in our troubled world."