Joseph Isangura
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V has officially been named the 50th hereditary Imam of the global Ismaili Muslim community, following the passing of his father, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, at the age of 88 in Lisbon.
The transition was confirmed after the unsealing of Aga Khan IV’s will, in which he designated his eldest son as his successor.
Born on October 12, 1971, in Geneva, Switzerland, Prince Rahim is the eldest son of Aga Khan IV and his first wife, Sarah Croker Poole. He pursued his higher education at Brown University in the United States, where he earned a degree in comparative literature in 1995. He later continued his studies in management and administration at the IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain.
For many years, Prince Rahim has been actively involved in the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), an organization founded by his father that works on global development projects. The AKDN operates in more than 30 countries, focusing on healthcare, education, cultural preservation, and economic empowerment. Prince Rahim has played a key role in these efforts, particularly in environmental and climate-related initiatives.
His work has earned him international recognition. In June 2024, Pakistan awarded him the Nishan-i-Pakistan, the country’s highest civilian honor, for his contributions to economic and social development. Under his leadership, AKDN programs in Pakistan have expanded access to financial services for nearly 50 million people and advanced projects in renewable energy, sustainable tourism, and microfinance.
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As the new Aga Khan, Prince Rahim continues a lineage that traces back over 1,400 years to the Prophet Muhammad, through his daughter, Hazrat Bibi Fatima, and his cousin and son-in-law, Hazrat Ali. The Ismaili Muslim community, estimated to have between 12 and 15 million members worldwide, regards the Aga Khan as both a spiritual leader and a guide in social and economic progress.
Beyond his public work, Prince Rahim’s personal life has also drawn attention. In 2013, he married American model Kendra Spears, who adopted the name Princess Salwa Aga Khan upon her conversion to Islam. The couple had two children together before their divorce in 2022.
Now leading the Ismaili community, Prince Rahim is expected to build on his father’s legacy, guiding the community’s spiritual and social progress while continuing the AKDN’s work in global development. His leadership marks the beginning of a new era for the Ismaili community, with a focus on education, environmental sustainability, and humanitarian efforts.
