Who was Aga Khan, billionaire spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims? Who will be his successor?

He was believed to be a direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad.

He was also considered the most well-connected man in the world.

Billionaire philanthropist and spiritual leader Aga Khan IV has died at 88.

He “passed away peacefully” in Lisbon, Portugal, surrounded by his family, his charity announced in a statement on social media.

Despite largely staying out of the public eye, the Aga Khan was the spiritual leader of around 12 million followers of the Ismaili sect of Islam.

Let’s take a look at his life and legacy. What made him so influential? After his passing, who will now succeed him?

Who was Prince Aga Khan?

The title Aga Khan - derived from Turkish and Persian words meaning “commanding chief” - was held by a leader believed by Ismailis to be a direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad. This lineage is traced through Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law, Ali, the first Imam, and his wife, Fatima, Prophet’s daughter.

Aga Khan IV inherited the title of the 49th Imam of the Shia Imami Ismailis in 1957 at the age of just 20 years old. At the time of his death, he was believed to have been worth over £11 billion.

His role involved providing divine guidance to the Ismaili community, whose members are spread across Central Asia, West Asia, South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, and North America.

He has led a life of immense luxury, including private jets, a $200 million super-yacht, and a private island in the Bahamas.

Born in Switzerland, he spent much of his later life in France, though he held British citizenship.

A close friend of the late Queen Elizabeth II, he was granted the title of “His Highness” when he became the leader of the Ismaili Muslims.

His grandfather had bypassed his father, who was known for his playboy lifestyle, as a successor and instead chose his grandson to lead the Shia Ismaili Muslim diaspora. He believed the community should be guided by someone “brought up in the midst of the new age.”

Over time, the Aga Khan transformed into both a business magnate and a philanthropist, seamlessly moving between spiritual and worldly affairs.

Although his death was announced late in the day in Europe and West Asia, Ismaili communities in the US were already holding ceremonies on Tuesday. Condolences flooded social media from charities he had supported, as well as the equestrian world, where he was a recognised figure.

“An extraordinarily compassionate global leader,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, calling him a very good friend. “He will be deeply, deeply missed by people around the world.”

He had left Harvard to be with his ailing grandfather, returning 18 months later with an entourage and a deep sense of duty.

“I was an undergraduate who knew what his work for the rest of his life was going to be,” he said in an interview with Vanity Fair. “I don’t think anyone in my situation would have been prepared.

A defender of Islamic culture and values, he was widely regarded as a bridge between Muslim societies and the West. His reluctance to engage in politics may have only strengthened this reputation.

According to the Ismaili community’s website, he was born on December 13, 1936, in Creux-de-Genthod, near Geneva, Switzerland, to Joan Yarde-Buller and Aly Khan. He spent part of his childhood in Nairobi, Kenya, where a hospital now bears his name.

A horse breeder and owner, he also represented Iran as a skier in the 1964 Winter Olympics. His love for architecture led him to establish a prestigious architecture prize and programmes for Islamic Architecture at MIT and Harvard. He also played a role in restoring historic Islamic sites worldwide.

Having spent much of his life in France, he had been based in Portugal in recent years. His development network and foundation operate from Switzerland.

He is survived by three sons, a daughter, and several grandchildren.

Recognised as a highly influential figure, he once persuaded former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, whom he had met in the 1960s, to allow thousands of Ismaili Muslims to emigrate to Canada after they were expelled from Uganda.

His friendship with Trudeau reflected an ambiguous relationship with Canada, where he became an honorary citizen in 2010.

Why was he so important?

Regarded as a head of state, the Aga Khan was granted the title of “His Highness” by Queen Elizabeth in July 1957, just two weeks after his grandfather, Aga Khan III, unexpectedly named him heir to the family’s 1,300-year-old dynasty as leader of the Ismaili Muslim sect.

He officially became Aga Khan IV on October 19, 1957, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, at the very site where his grandfather had once received diamonds equal to his weight as gifts from his followers.

His primary philanthropic organisation, the Aga Khan Development Network, focuses on health care, housing, education, and rural economic development. Operating in over 30 countries, it has an annual budget of approximately $1 billion dedicated to nonprofit development initiatives.

A network of hospitals bearing his name was established in regions where health care was previously inaccessible to the poorest communities. These include facilities in Bangladesh, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan, where he invested tens of millions of dollars to support local economies and improve living conditions.

Where will he be buried? Who will be his successor?

The Aga Khan will be laid to rest in Lisbon, though the date has not been disclosed.

His successor has been named in his will, which will be read in Lisbon in the presence of his family and religious leaders before the name is made public.

No date has been announced. According to the Ismaili community’s website, the successor is chosen from among his male descendants or other relatives.

With inputs from agencies