Aga Khan IV, Spiritual Leader of Ismaili Muslims, Dies at 88

The renowned philanthropist and cultural bridge-builder led the Ismaili Muslim community for nearly seven decades, with a legacy of global development and interfaith dialogue.

The Aga Khan IV, Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, passed away on February 4, 2025, in Lisbon, Portugal, surrounded by family at the age of 88.
As the 49th hereditary imam of the Ismaili Muslims, he assumed leadership in 1957 at the age of 20, succeeding his grandfather while still a Harvard undergraduate.
His philanthropic organization, the Aga Khan Development Network, operates in over 30 countries, focusing on health care, education, housing, and economic development with an annual budget of approximately $1 billion.
He was instrumental in fostering pluralism and interfaith understanding, notably through initiatives like the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto and the Global Centre for Pluralism in Ottawa.
The Aga Khan's successor, designated in his will, will be announced following a reading in Lisbon, though no specific date has been provided.