The Aga Khan, a prominent spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims and a successful businessman, has passed away at the age of 88.
A statement from the Aga Khan Development Network confirmed that the billionaire investor died peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones.
Regarded as a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, known as Aga Khan IV, served as the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. He assumed leadership from his grandfather in July 1957 when he was just 20 years old, establishing a vast network across 30 countries, including various African nations, with annual investments exceeding Ksh. 128 billion.
Prince Karim Aga Khan was the visionary founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network. This organization includes key agencies such as the Aga Khan Health Services and the Aga Khan Education Services, which have significantly contributed to advancing health and education in the region.
In Kenya, the network encompasses notable institutions like the Nation Media Group, Aga Khan University, Aga Khan Hospitals, Diamond Trust Bank (DTB), Jubilee Insurance, and a range of primary and secondary schools.
The development agencies under his leadership also focus on diverse areas such as environmental sustainability, cultural promotion, rural development, disaster management, and fostering private-sector growth.
His Highness the Aga Khan made a notable visit to Kenya in April 2018, invited by the State to celebrate his Diamond Jubilee, marking 60 years of his spiritual leadership.
With his wealth estimated between $800 million and $13 billion, he was well-known for his enthusiasm for horse breeding and his investments in tourism and real estate. Holding citizenship in Britain, France, Switzerland, and Portugal, he embodied the spirit of an international mogul, with a taste for luxury yachts and private jets.
