Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V has been named the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, following the unsealing of the will of his late father, Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, who passed away in Lisbon, Portugal, at the age of 88.
Born on October 12, 1971, Prince Rahim, 53, has played a crucial role in the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), overseeing initiatives in education, health, economic development, and environmental sustainability.
His appointment marks a historic transition for the estimated 15 million Ismaili Muslims worldwide, who looked to his father for spiritual and development leadership for nearly seven decades.
Educated at Brown University, where he obtained a degree in Comparative Literature, Prince Rahim later pursued graduate studies in management and administration at the IESE Business School in Barcelona.
He has been actively involved in steering AKDN’s work, particularly in addressing climate change, improving economic opportunities, and enhancing the well-being of communities in Asia, Africa, and beyond.
He has also chaired the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED), leading projects that focus on infrastructure, financial services, and industrial growth in developing countries.
On the personal front, Prince Rahim married American model Kendra Spears in 2013, and they have two sons. However, the couple divorced in 2022.
As he assumes leadership, Prince Rahim is expected to uphold his father’s legacy while bringing renewed focus to the contemporary challenges facing Ismaili Muslims globally.
The announcement has been met with reverence and anticipation, as followers await his vision for the community’s future.
