Aga Khan IV

Shah Karim al-Hussaini, known as Aga Khan IV, was born on December 13, 1936, and became the 49th Imam of Nizari Isma'ili Shia Islam at the young age of twenty, following the passing of his grandfather, Sultan Muhammad Shah (Aga Khan III). His leadership spanned from 1957 until his death in 2025, during which he was affectionately referred to as Mawlānā Hazar Imam by his followers.

Throughout his life, Aga Khan IV was not only a spiritual leader but also a prominent businessperson and philanthropist. He was recognized for his significant contributions to various sectors, including his role as the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network, a private development organization dedicated to improving living conditions in some of the world's poorest regions.

In addition to his religious and philanthropic endeavors, Aga Khan IV was an accomplished alpine skier and a respected racehorse owner and breeder. His net worth was estimated to exceed thirteen billion dollars, placing him among the world's wealthiest royals, as noted by Forbes and Vanity Fair. However, it is important to highlight that his wealth stemmed from his hereditary role as Imam rather than any political authority.