Aga Khan IV

Karim al-Husseini
Karim al-Husseini
Born	Prince Karim al-Husseini; 13 December 1936 (age 89); Geneva, Switzerland
Died	4 February 2025 (aged 88)
Occupation(s)	Religious leader, philanthropist, businessman
Years active	1957–2025
Known for	49th Imam of Nizari Isma'ilism, founder and chairman of Aga Khan Development Network, thoroughbred horse racing owner and breeder

Prince Karim al-Husseini (13 December 1936 – 4 February 2025), widely recognized as the Aga Khan IV, served as the 49th imam of Nizari Isma'ilism from 1957 until his passing in 2025. He assumed the Nizari imamate and the title of Aga Khan at the age of 20, following the death of his grandfather, the Aga Khan III. Throughout his tenure as imam, his Isma'ili followers also referred to him by the religious honorific Mawlānā Hazar Imam.

In 2013, Vanity Fair estimated al-Husseini’s net worth to exceed US$13.3 billion. Forbes ranked him among the fifteen wealthiest royals worldwide, a reflection of his hereditary position as Imam of the Nizari Ismailis rather than any form of political rule. He was the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network, one of the world’s most extensive private development agencies. Al-Husseini held citizenships in the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Portugal, and was an honorary citizen of Canada. Additionally, he was a distinguished owner and breeder in the field of thoroughbred horse racing.

Early life and education

Karim al-Husseini was born prematurely but healthy on 13 December 1936 in Geneva, Switzerland. He was the firstborn son of Prince Aly Khan and Princess Taj-ud-dawlah Aga Khan (née Joan Yarde-Buller), daughter of British nobleman John Yarde-Buller, 3rd Baron Churston. His younger brother, Amyn Aga Khan, arrived in 1937. Following their parents’ divorce in 1949, Prince Aly Khan remarried American actress Rita Hayworth, with whom he fathered Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, Karim’s half-sister.

From his mother’s previous marriage to Loel Guinness of the banking-oriented Guinnesses, Karim had a half-brother named Patrick Benjamin Guinness (1931–1965).

During World War II, Karim resided in Nairobi, Kenya, where he received private tutoring before enrolling at the esteemed Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland for nine years. Initially accepted by MIT with plans to pursue science studies, this path was redirected upon his grandfather Sultan Muhammad Shah’s disapproval. Consequently, he matriculated at Harvard University, focusing on Islamic history and becoming a member of The Delphic Club.

When his grandfather passed away in 1957, Karim inherited the title of Aga Khan while still attending university. He deferred further education to undertake his responsibilities as imam but completed his degree in 1959, graduating Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in history from Harvard. During his time there, he earned a varsity letter playing for the Harvard Crimson men's soccer team.

Beyond academics, he was an accomplished downhill skier who competed for Great Britain at the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 1962 and represented Iran during the 1964 Winter Olympics.

Ascension to Nizari Ismaili Imamat

At the age of 20, al-Husseini became the 49th Imam of the Nizari Ismailis and assumed the title Aga Khan IV following the passing of his grandfather, Aga Khan III. This succession bypassed both his father, Aly Khan, and his uncle, Sadruddin Aga Khan. The rationale for this decision was outlined in his grandfather's will, marking only the second instance where a grandson succeeded instead of a son:

Given the fundamentally changed global landscape, including advancements in atomic science, I am convinced that it serves the best interests of the Nizari Ismaili community for a young man raised in recent times, who offers a fresh perspective, to assume this office.

As a result, al-Husseini earned the moniker "Imam of the Atomic Age". Additionally, his grandfather instructed that during the initial seven years of his Imamat, al-Husseini should consult with his grandmother, Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan, on matters pertaining to general Imamat affairs.

Nizari Ismaili Imamat

Upon taking on the Imamate, al-Husseini dedicated himself to continuing his grandfather’s legacy by fostering modern institutions aimed at enhancing the welfare of Nizari Ismailis. His takht nashini (installation) ceremonies occurred between 1957 and 1958, during which he highlighted the importance of interethnic and interfaith harmony and called for improved relations across East Africa and South Asia.

In 1972, under President Idi Amin’s rule, many South Asians—including numerous Nizari Ismailis—were forced to leave Uganda within 90 days. Al-Husseini reached out to Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, whose administration welcomed thousands of displaced Nizari Ismailis. He also played a key role in supporting resettlement initiatives for Ismailis expelled from Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, and Burma to destinations in Asia, Europe, and North America. Thanks to their strong educational foundations and community networks, these individuals integrated swiftly.

Al-Husseini urged Ismailis residing in developed nations to contribute to development efforts in regions with substantial Ismaili populations. He articulated the Imam’s responsibilities as encompassing both interpretation of religious teachings and addressing social realities—a viewpoint he expressed during a 2006 address in Germany. Furthermore, he emphasized the significance of engaging with wider societies where Ismailis live.

He was among several Shia figures who endorsed the 2004 Amman Message, which sought to broadly define Muslim sects within the larger Ummah. During the 2006 Pope Benedict XVI Islam controversy, he acknowledged concerns about strained relations but viewed it as an opportunity to explore religion’s connection with reason.

Regarding alcohol use, al-Husseini stated in a 1965 interview that alcohol hinders human cognition and is prohibited; he personally refrains without experiencing religious compulsion.

Significantly, he became the first religious leader to speak before a Joint Session of the Parliament of Canada on 27 February 2014.

Silver Jubilee Year of Imamat

Between 11 July 1982 and 11 July 1983, commemorating twenty-five years since his accession, numerous social and economic initiatives were launched. These included founding the US$450 million international Aga Khan University, featuring its Faculty of Health Sciences and teaching hospital in Karachi. Expansion efforts were made for girls' schools and medical facilities in the Hunza Valley, a region with a dense Nizari Ismaili population. The Aga Khan Rural Support Programme was also established in Gujarat, India. Moreover, existing urban hospitals and primary health care centres in Tanzania and Kenya underwent significant enlargement.

Golden Jubilee Year of Imamat

The fiftieth anniversary of al-Husseini’s leadership as Imam was observed from 11 July 2007 until 13 December 2008. During this period, delegates from Nizari Ismaili communities globally convened at his residence. Concurrently, al-Husseini embarked on official tours throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. These journeys involved engagements with various heads of state and government representatives to review ongoing development projects and discuss future community plans. A significant announcement was made during his visit to Houston, Texas, where he unveiled plans for the Ismaili Center Houston.

In 2008, commemorative activities included the inauguration of the Jubilee Games, an international sports competition for Nizari Ismailis held in Kenya, attracting participants worldwide. Initially called the Golden Jubilee Games, the event continued under the name Jubilee Games, with its second edition taking place in Dubai, UAE, in July 2016.

Diamond Jubilee Year of Imamat

Karim al-Husseini marked his Diamond Jubilee from 11 July 2017 to 11 July 2018, celebrating six decades as Imam. Throughout this year, he visited nations where his humanitarian organizations are active, introducing new initiatives targeting poverty reduction, education enhancement, housing development, and early childhood support. The Jubilee featured large-scale concerts and arts festivals that drew tens of thousands of attendees. On 11 July 2018, following an agreement reached in 2015 with the Portuguese Republic, al-Husseini established the Henrique de Mendonça Palace in Lisbon as the formal Seat of the Ismaili Imamat, officially designating it as the “Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat”.

Ismaili Constitution

In 1986, al-Husseini promulgated a constitution for the Nizari Ismaili community, which was later revised in 1998. This document set forth governance frameworks and institutional structures adapted to various national contexts. It clearly defined the religious and communal authority vested in the Imam while promoting organisational coherence and flexibility across different legal and societal environments.

Thoroughbred horse racing

Al-Husseini’s thoroughbred racing and breeding enterprises represent a substantial source of revenue. He operates France’s largest breeding establishment, which encompasses the Arqana auction house and Gilltown Stud near Kilcullen in Ireland, along with several other stud farms across Europe. His primary base is situated at Aiglemont estate close to Chantilly Racecourse. Among his significant acquisitions are bloodstock purchases from Anna Dupré (£1.3 million in 1977) and Marcel Boussac (£4.7 million in 1978). He is recognized as France’s leading owner-breeder and holds a record seven victories in the Prix de Diane (French Oaks).

His properties include Gilltown Stud (Ireland), Haras de Bonneval (France), and since 2005, Calvados-based stud farms Haras d'Ouilly and Haras de Val-Henry. Haras d'Ouilly is notable for its historical prominence under former distinguished owners. In 2006, he acquired majority ownership of Arqana auction house.

Among his distinguished horses are Sea the Stars—considered one of racing’s all-time greats—standing at Gilltown Stud since 2009; Zarkava, an undefeated filly who won the 2008 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe; and Harzand, victor of both the 2016 Epsom Derby and Irish Derby.

Al-Husseini was the principal owner of Shergar, an Irish racehorse abducted in 1983 from Ballymany stud farm. Despite a ransom demand being issued, owners declined payment; Shergar was never recovered. The kidnapping was widely attributed to the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), though they denied involvement. This event remains one of the most notable incidents in Irish racing history.

Additional business interests

Al-Husseini's entrepreneurial activities were varied, spanning sectors such as media and upscale hospitality. In 1959, he established the Kenyan media enterprise Nation Media Group, which publishes leading newspapers including Daily Nation and Sunday Nation.

During the 1990s, he possessed ownership of the Italian luxury hotel chain Ciga, where room rates were approximately US$400 per night. As the principal shareholder of the Serena Hotels group through his commercial entity AKFED, he maintained significant influence in the hospitality industry.

Aga Khan Development Network

Al-Husseini was the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a consortium of over 200 affiliated organizations primarily active in developing regions and employing roughly 80,000 individuals. The AKDN’s funding derives from contributions by the Ismaili community alongside collaborations with governmental bodies and international entities. Its initiatives cover areas such as healthcare, education, cultural preservation, rural advancement, institutional capacity building, and economic growth, with a focus on countries in the Global South.

Among AKDN’s constituent institutions are Aga Khan University, University of Central Asia, the commercially oriented Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, Aga Khan Trust for Culture, Aga Khan Foundation, Aga Khan Health Services, Aga Khan Education Services, Aga Khan Planning and Building Services, and the Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance. The Serena Hotels Group—a luxury hotel chain operating across Africa and Asia—is principally owned by AKFED. The Aga Khan Award for Architecture stands as the largest architectural prize worldwide. Al-Husseini also led the Board of Governors for the Institute of Ismaili Studies, an institution he founded in 1977.

The AKDN affiliate Focus Humanitarian Assistance coordinates emergency disaster relief efforts, including responses to the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan and the 2004 tsunami in South Asia.

Prominent projects under al-Husseini’s leadership encompass the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat and the Global Centre for Pluralism based in Ottawa, the establishment of the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, development of Cairo’s Al-Azhar Park, restoration undertakings like Kabul’s Bagh-e Babur, conservation efforts at Delhi’s Sunder Nursery, and a network of residential schools offering the full IB curriculum known as the Aga Khan Academies.

In a 2006 address at the Evangelische Akademie Tutzing, where he was honored with the Tolerance Prize, al-Husseini clarified that AKDN’s mission reflects institutional duty rather than mere philanthropy or business enterprise:

Given a historical Western tendency to separate secular from religious realms, their characterization of [AKDN's work] as either philanthropy or entrepreneurship misses that this effort represents an institutional obligation—it arises from the Imam’s mandate to enhance worldly life quality for communities under his care.

He held the position of vice-president at the Royal Commonwealth Society until 2025.

In March 2019, al-Husseini was appointed Global Founding Patron of the Prince’s Trust Group by Charles, then Prince of Wales. His involvement contributed to supporting more than 30,000 youth between 2019 and 2025.

AKDN is a founding participant in the Paris Peace Forum, an international platform dedicated to global governance solutions inaugurated on World War I’s centennial. It functions as a Strategic Partner with representation on both its Executive Committee and General Assembly.

Advancement of Islamic Architectural Heritage

In 1977, al-Husseini initiated the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, recognized as the largest architectural prize worldwide, offering a $1 million reward every three years. This accolade honors outstanding architectural works that blend modern design with social, historical, and environmental considerations. The award embodies al-Husseini's vision to rejuvenate artistic innovation within Islamic communities and to showcase pioneering approaches in the construction of buildings and public environments. Each cycle’s laureates are determined by an autonomous panel of expert jurors.

Two years later, in 1979, Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) established the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture (AKPIA), funded by al-Husseini. This initiative provides academic courses, lectures, and symposiums centered on Islamic architecture and urban development, with a focus on present-day challenges. It fosters research collaborations at both universities, enabling students to obtain a Master of Science degree in Architectural Studies with a specialization in the Aga Khan program through MIT.

Private Life

Al-Husseini wed Sarah Frances Croker Poole, a former British model who took the name Begum Salimah Aga Khan, in 1969. Their marriage included both civil and religious ceremonies held at his residence in Paris. They had three children: Zahra Aga Khan, Rahim Aga Khan, and Hussain Aga Khan. By 1984, the couple had separated and finalized their divorce in 1994.

On 30 May 1998, he married Gabriele Renate Thyssen (known as Begum Inaara Aga Khan), daughter of a German business magnate and previously divorced. Their union produced one son, Aly Muhammad Aga Khan, born in 2000. The couple parted ways in 2004, with their divorce formally concluded in 2014.

A passionate yachtsman, al-Husseini founded the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda located in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, in 1967 and served as its President. His collection of yachts included the £100 million valued 164-foot Alamshar. Among his aviation holdings were Bombardier aircraft such as a Bombardier Global Express reported in 2005.

Financial Portfolio

In 2009, Forbes estimated al-Husseini’s net worth at approximately US$1 billion, while Vanity Fair suggested it was considerably higher. By early 2013, Vanity Fair appraised his wealth at $13.3 billion, placing him among the top fifteen wealthiest royals globally according to Forbes. Unlike conventional monarchs, al-Husseini did not possess any sovereign lands. His assets encompassed numerous racehorses and breeding farms, an exclusive yacht club on Sardinia, Bell Island in the Bahamas, custom Bombardier jets, the £100 million superyacht Alamshar, and multiple residences worldwide—his principal home being the Aiglemont estate near Gouvieux, France. His philanthropic organization allocates roughly US$1 billion annually towards projects predominantly in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

Passing

Al-Husseini passed away at age 88 on 4 February 2025 at his home in Lisbon. In his testament, he designated his son Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini as his successor to become the 50th imam of Isma'ilism. Distinguished personalities including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres publicly paid tribute to him.

A private funeral ceremony was held on 8 February in Lisbon with attendance by Portuguese dignitaries such as President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Lisbon’s Mayor Carlos Moedas, alongside community representatives and notable figures like Trudeau and former Spanish monarch Juan Carlos I. His interment took place on 9 February at the Mausoleum of Aga Khan in Aswan, Egypt, where he was laid to rest beside his grandfather.

Titles, styles and honours

The Aga Khans and their offspring carry the titles of Prince and Princess, a tradition stemming from their lineage linked to Shah Fath Ali Shah of the Persian Qajar dynasty. This designation was formally acknowledged by the British authorities in 1938.

According to scholar Farhad Daftary, the title Aga Khan—originating from the terms Agha and Khan—was initially conferred upon Hasan Ali Shah when he was thirteen years old. At that time, he petitioned the Qajar court for justice following his father’s passing. The Qajar ruler then granted him the hereditary appellation of Agha Khan, signifying lordship and mastery.

In 1957, after the demise of his grandfather, Karim al-Husseini was bestowed the style of His Highness by Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. This honor had originally been awarded to Aga Khan III in 1887 and was subsequently passed on to his heir upon assuming the role of Imam.

Furthermore, in 1959, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Shah of Iran, conferred upon him the style of His Royal Highness, although al-Husseini chose to continue using His Highness.

Honours

:
- Member 1st Class of the Order of Bahrain (2003)
:
- Honorary Companion of the Order of Canada (CC, 2005)
:
- Grand Cross of the Order of the Green Crescent (1966)
:
- Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour (2018)
- Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters (2010)
:
- Padma Vibhushan (2015)
Iran:
- Grand Cordon of the Order of the Crown (1967)
- Commemorative Medal marking the 2500th Anniversary of the Persian Empire (1971)
:
- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (1977) – first Muslim to receive this distinction
- Knight of the Order of Merit for Labour (1988)
:
- Grand Cross of the National Order of the Ivory Coast (1965)
:
- Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (CGH, 2007)
:
- Grand Cross 2nd Class of the National Order of Madagascar (1966)
:
- Grand Cross of the National Order of Mali (2008)
:
- Commander in the National Order of Merit (1960)
:
- Grand Cordon of the Order of the Throne (1986)
:
- Recipient of Nishan-e-Pakistan (NPk, 1983)
- Awarded Nishan-i-Imtiaz (NI, 1970)
:
- Grand Cross of the Order of Liberty (GCL, 2017)
- Grand Cross of the Order of Christ (GCC, 2005)
- Grand Cross of the Order of Merit (GCM, 1998)
- Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry (GCIH, 1960)
:
- Grand Officer rank in the National Order of the Lion (1982)
:
- Awarded Grand Cross in the Order of Civil Merit (1991)
:
- Honored with the Order of Friendship (1998)
:
- Collar bearer of the Order of the Pearl of Africa (2017)
:
- Ordinary Knight Commander in the Order of the British Empire (KBE, 2003)
Upper Volta:
- Grand Cross in the National Order (1965)
Zanzibar:
- Grand Cross in the Order of the Brilliant Star of Zanzibar (1957)

Honorary degrees

: Awarded an honorary LL.D. from Simon Fraser University (2018)
: Conferred an honorary LL.D. by the University of British Columbia (2018)
: Received an honorary LL.D. from the University of Calgary (2018)
: Bestowed with an honorary LL.D. degree from McGill University (1983)
: Granted an honorary LL.D. by McMaster University (1987)
: Honored with an honorary LL.D. from the University of Toronto (2004)
: Presented with an honorary LL.D. degree by the University of Alberta (2009)
: Awarded an honorary DUniv degree by the University of Ottawa (2012)
: Received an honorary D.S.Litt. from the University of Toronto (2013)
: Conferred an honorary D.Litt. in medieval studies by the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies (2016)
: Granted an honorary LL.D. from the University of Sindh (1970)
: Bestowed with an honorary PhD degree by NOVA University of Lisbon (2017)
: Awarded an honorary LL.D. by the University of Wales (1993)
: Received an honorary D.D. degree from the University of Cambridge (2009)
: Honored with an honorary LL.D. degree by Brown University (1996)
: Conferred an honorary LL.D. by Harvard University (2008)

Awards

: Presented with the Key to the City of Ottawa (2005)
: Granted Honorary Canadian citizenship (2010)
: Awarded the Key to the City of Toronto (2022)
: Named Honorary Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, Ottawa (2025)
: Recipient of the Silver Medal from the Académie d'Architecture (1991)
: Awarded the Insignia of Honour by the International Union of Architects (2001)
: Elected Associate Foreign Member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts (2008)
: Named Philanthropic Entrepreneur of the Year by Le Nouvel Économiste, Paris (2009)
: Honored with Die Quadriga Award, United We Care Award (2005)
: Recipient of the Tolerance Prize from the Evangelical Academy of Tutzing (2006)
: Granted Honorary Citizenship of Arzachena, Sardinia (1962)
: Awarded the Gold Mercury Ad Personam Award (1982)
: Made Freeman and awarded Key to the City of Abidjan (1960)
: Listed among The 500 Most Influential Muslims by Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre for 2009–13
: Received State Award for Peace and Progress (2002) and recognized as Honoured Educator (2008)
: Bestowed Honorary Citizenship of Kisumu (1981)
: Given Key to the City of Majunga (1966)
: Named Honorary Citizen and Citizen of Honour in Timbuktu (2003, 2008)
: Appointed Honorary Colonel, 6th Lancers by Pakistani Army (1970); also received Honorary Citizenship and keys to Lahore and Karachi; held Honorary Memberships in medical associations during 1980s
: Awarded Keys to Cities of Lisbon (1996) and Porto (2019); Foreign Member, Lisbon Academy of Sciences (2009); recipient of 2013 North–South Prize from Council of Europe
: Honored with the Andrew Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy (2005)
: Guest of Honour, Honorary Citizen, and Gold Medal recipient in Granada; awarded Royal Toledo Foundation Award between 1991 and 2006
: Received Archon Award from International Nursing Honour Society, Sigma Theta Tau International (2001)
: Bestowed Honorary Citizenship of Dar es Salaam (2005)
: Earned Gold Mercury International "AD PERSONAM" Award (1982); Honorary Fellowship at Royal Institute of British Architects (1991); Andrew Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy winner again in 2005; Peter O'Sullevan Award recipient in 2006
: Recipient of Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation Medal in Architecture at University of Virginia (1984); honored by American Institute of Architects; Foreign Honorary Member, American Academy of Arts and Sciences; awarded Hadrian Award by World Monuments Fund; Vincent Scully Prize from National Building Museum; Keys to Cities including Austin and Sugar Land; UCSF Medal; ULI J.C. Nichols Prize for Visionaries in Urban Development
: Granted Honorary Citizenship and Key to City status in Samarkand (1992)

Direct Male Ancestry

Shah Karim al-Hussaini Aga Khan's paternal genealogy follows an unbroken line from father to son among the Nizari Imams descending from the Fatimid Dynasty, highlighting his inherited role as leader.

Nizari Imams of the Fatimid Dynasty

Adnan
Ma'ad ibn Adnan
Nizar ibn Ma'ad
Mudar ibn Nizar
Ilyas ibn Mudar
Mudrikah ibn Ilyas
Khuzayma ibn Mudrika
Kinanah ibn Khuzayma
An-Nadr ibn Kinanah
Malik ibn Al-Nadr
Fihr ibn Malik
Ghalib ibn Fihr
Lu'ayy ibn Ghalib
Ka'b ibn Lu'ayy
Murrah ibn Ka'b b. ca. 372
Qusay ibn Kilab ca. 400-ca. 480
Abd Manaf ibn Qusai
Hashim ibn Abd Manaf, ca. 464-ca. 497
Abd al-Muttalib, ca. 497–578
Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib, 535–619
4th Caliph and 1st Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib, 601–661, cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad
2nd Imam Husayn ibn Ali, 626–680
3rd Imam Ali ibn Husayn Zayn al-Abidin, 659–713
4th Imam Muhammad al-Baqir, 677–733
5th Imam Jafar al-Sadiq, ca. 702–765
6th Imam Ismail ibn Jafar, ca. 722-ca. 762
7th Imam Muhammad ibn Ismail, 740–813
8th Imam Ahmad al-Wafi, 795/746-827/828
9th Imam Muhammad at-Taqi (Isma'ili), 813/814-839/840
10th Imam Radi Abdullah, 832–881
11th Imam Caliph Abdullah al-Mahdi Billah, 873–934
12th Imam Caliph Al-Qa'im, 893–946
13th Imam Caliph Al-Mansur Billah, 914–953
14th Imam Caliph Al-Mu'izz li-Din Allah, 932–975
15th Imam Caliph Al-Aziz Billah, 955–996
16th Imam Caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, 985–1021
17th Imam Caliph Ali az-Zahir, 1005–1036
18th Imam Caliph Al-Mustansir Billah, 1029–1094
19th Imam Nizar al-Mustafa, 1045–1095
20th Imam Ali Al-Husayn Al-Hadi, 1076–1132
continuing through successive Imams to:
...
#46th Imam Hasan Ali Shah, Aga Khan I, who founded the family's contemporary leadership and business influence, instrumental in expanding the community worldwide.
#47th Imam Aqa Ali Shah, Aga Khan II, who furthered social and economic programs.
#48th Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah, Aga Khan III, recognized for his role in global diplomacy and development efforts.
Prince Sayyid Aly Khan, noted for connecting traditional leadership with modern international affairs.
#49th Imam Shah Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, the present head guiding strategic advancement in finance, property, and charitable ventures.

Representation in Culture

Al-Husseini is mentioned in the song Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)? by Peter Sarstedt, released in 1969.

External links

Interview with Aga Khan published by Quartz