Aga Khan founder Prince Karim dies at 88.

The spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims and a prominent businessman has passed away at the age of 88. 

According to a statement from the Aga Khan Development Network, the billionaire investor died peacefully on February 4, 2025, in Lisbon, surrounded by his family.

His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, known as Aga Khan IV, was the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and was viewed as a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. 

He succeeded his grandfather in July 1957 at the tender age of 20 and went on to build a vast network across 30 countries, including several in Africa, with investments exceeding Ksh. 128 billion annually.

The leaders and staff of the Aga Khan Development Network extended their condolences to the family of His Highness and to the Ismaili community worldwide. 

Prince Karim Aga Khan was the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network, which includes prominent agencies such as the Aga Khan Health Services and the Aga Khan Education Services. 

These organizations have significantly contributed to the advancement of health and education.

In Kenya, the Aga Khan Development Network is known for its establishments, including the Nation Media Group, the Aga Khan University, Aga Khan Hospitals, Diamond Trust Bank (DTB), Jubilee Insurance, and a number of primary and secondary schools. 

The network also runs programs focused on the environment, culture, rural development, disaster reduction, and promoting private-sector enterprise.

“As we honor the legacy of our founder, Prince Karim Aga Khan, we will continue to collaborate with our partners to enhance the quality of life for individuals and communities worldwide, regardless of their religious affiliations or backgrounds,” the statement added.

His Highness the Aga Khan visited Kenya in April 2018 at the invitation of the state, as part of the celebrations marking his Diamond Jubilee  60 years since he assumed the role of spiritual leader.

His estimated wealth ranges from $800 million to $13 billion, and he was known for his passion for horse breeding, as well as his investments in tourism and real estate.

Holding British, French, Swiss, and Portuguese citizenships, he embodied the essence of an international mogul with a discerning taste for luxury yachts and private jets.

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