Spiritual Leader, Philantropist, Aga Khan, Dies At 88 In Lisbon



Billionaire philanthropist and spiritual leader Aga Khan has died at the age of 88, his charity the Aga Khan Development Network has announced.

Prince Karim Aga Khan was the 49th hereditary imam of the Ismaili Muslims, who say they are direct decedents of the Prophet Muhammad.

He "passed away peacefully" in Lisbon, Portugal, surrounded by his family, his charity said in a statement on social media.

Born in Switzerland, he had British citizenship and lived in a chateau in France.

King Charles is understood to be deeply saddened by the death of the philanthropist, who was a friend of both himself and his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, and is in touch with the family privately .

The Aga Khan's charities ran hundreds of hospitals, educational and cultural projects, largely in the developing world.

He enjoyed a lavish lifestyle, with a private island in the Bahamas, a super-yacht and a private jet.

The Aga Khan Development Network said it offered its "condolences to the family of His Highness and to the Ismaili community worldwide".

"We continue to work with our partners to improve the quality of life for individuals and communities across the world, as he wished, irrespective of their religious affiliations or origins," it added.

His successor, which will be one of his male descendants, will be named soon, the Aga Khan Development Network said.

The Ismailis are a Shia Muslim sect who revere a number of Imams, including Imam Ismail, who died in 765 AD.

They have a worldwide population of about 15 million, including 500,000 in Pakistan. There are also large populations in India, Afghanistan and parts of Africa.

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