Prince Rahim Aga Khan Ascends as Spiritual Leader of Ismaili Muslims

In a ceremonial announcement, Prince Rahim is declared as Aga Khan V, taking over responsibilities as the leader of a prosperous Shiite Muslim community globally after the death of his father at age 88.

Prince Rahim Aga Khan has been named the successor to his father, Aga Khan IV, who passed away at the age of 88. This significant announcement was made on Wednesday following the unsealing of the late leader's will. As the new Aga Khan V, Prince Rahim will now guide an estimated 12 to 15 million Ismaili Muslims who reside in over 35 countries, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Syria.

The Aga Khan IV, a prominent billionaire renowned for his entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropy, left behind an impressive legacy. His family’s wealth, estimated between $1 billion and $13 billion, spans diverse investments from airlines to media outlets, along with substantial tithes received from the Ismaili community. Despite his luxurious lifestyle marked by close associations with royalty, the late Aga Khan was also celebrated for his humanitarian efforts, establishing hospitals, educational institutions, and other charitable organizations worldwide.

Prince Rahim's ascendancy as the Aga Khan represents a return to a lineage tradition. His grandfather, Aga Khan III, had made a notable decision in 1957 to bypass senior heirs in favor of a younger successor, highlighting the community’s need for vibrant leadership in a quickly evolving world. At that time, a 20-year-old Rahim was immersed in studying Islamic history at Harvard University. Now, at the helm of the Ismaili community, Prince Rahim is poised to navigate its future through a dynamic global landscape.