Aga Khan IV

His Highness

Prince Karim Aga Khan IV

KBE CC PV NI NPk GCC GCIH GCL GCM
His Highness; Prince Karim Aga Khan IV; KBE CC PV NI NPk GCC GCIH GCL GCM
آقا خان چهارم‎
	Aga Khan in 1985
Born	Prince Karim Al-Husseini; 13 December 1936; Geneva, Switzerland
Died	4 February 2025 (aged 88); Lisbon, Portugal
Citizenship	United Kingdom; France; Switzerland; Portugal; Canada (Honorary)
Occupation	Imam (spiritual leader); Philanthropist; Businessman; Socialite
Title	Aga Khan IV
49th Imam of Nizari Ismaili Islam
Tenure	11 July 1957 – 4 February 2025
Installation	19 October 1957
Predecessor	Aga Khan III
Successor	Aga Khan V
Born	Shāh Karim al-Husayni; 13 December 1936; Geneva, Switzerland
Died	4 February 2025 (aged 88); Lisbon, Portugal
Spouse	; Sarah Croker Poole (m. 1969; div. 1995) ; Gabriele Homey (m. 1998; div. 2011)
Issue	Zahra Aga Khan; Rahim Aga Khan (Aga Khan V); Hussain Aga Khan; Aly Muhammad Aga Khan;
House	Fatimid
Father	Prince Aly Khan
Mother	Princess Taj-ud-dawlah
Religion	Isma'ilism

Prince Karim Al-Husseini ^{[lower-alpha 1]}, who was born on December 13, 1936, and passed away on February 4, 2025, is recognized as Aga Khan IV (Persian: آقا خان چهارم‎, romanized: Āqā Khān Chārom). He served as the 49th imam of Isma'ilism from 1957 until his death. He became the imam and took on the title of Aga Khan at just 20 years old, following the passing of his grandfather, Aga Khan III. His followers in the Isma'ili community also referred to him as Mawlānā Hazar Imam.

In 2013, Vanity Fair estimated the Aga Khan's net worth to be over $13.3 billion. Forbes listed him among the fifteen richest royals in the world. He was the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network, which is one of the largest private development organizations globally. The Aga Khan held British and Portuguese citizenship and was also known as a successful racehorse owner and breeder.

Since becoming the imam of the Nizari Ismailis in 1957, the Aga Khan navigated various political and economic shifts that impacted his followers. These included the independence of African nations from colonial rule, the expulsion of Asians from Uganda, the emergence of Central Asian countries like Tajikistan from the Soviet Union, and the ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Titles, styles and honours[edit]

President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee presents the Padma Vibhushan award to the Aga Khan in New Delhi on 08 April 2015

The titles of Prince and Princess are held by the Aga Khans and their children due to their lineage from Shah Fath Ali Shah of the Qajar dynasty in Persia. The British government officially recognized these titles in 1938.

Author Farhad Daftary explained that the honorific title Aga Khan (derived from Agha and Khan) was first given to Aga Khan I when he was just thirteen, following the assassination of his father. At that time, the Qajar ruler granted him the title, which means "lord and master". Daftary also noted that this title has been passed down through his successors.

However, in a legal context, Aga Khan III stated that 'Aga Khan' is not a formal title but rather a nickname or "pet name" given to Aga Khan I during his youth. Queen Elizabeth II formally conferred the style of His Highness upon Aga Khan IV in 1957 after the death of his grandfather, Aga Khan III. This decision was influenced by Aga Khan III's strong wish for the British monarchy to grant this non-hereditary title to his successor. In 1959, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran, awarded the style of His Royal Highness to Aga Khan IV, although he preferred to be addressed as His Highness. Throughout his life, the Aga Khan received many honors, honorary degrees, and awards.