A few facts to know about the Aga Khan: philanthropist and spiritual leader
Posted January 22, 2017 1:10 pm.
Last Updated January 23, 2017 12:40 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – Who is the Aga Khan? A quick primer:
— Prince Karim Aga Khan IV is the 49th hereditary heir and spiritual leader of the world’s 15 million Ismaili Muslims.
— He heads up the Aga Khan Development Network, which helps social and economic development in some of the poorest countries in the world.
— He was born Dec. 13, 1936, in Geneva, Switzerland. Grew up in Nairobi, Kenya.
— He graduated from Harvard University in 1959 with an honours undergraduate degree in Islamic history.
— The Shah of Persia granted the honorary hereditary title of “Aga Khan” on the family in 1818.
— Queen Elizabeth granted the title of “His Highness” in 1957.
— He was named an honorary Canadian citizen in 2010.
— His personal net worth is estimated to be more than $800 million US.
Note to readers: This is a corrected story. An earlier version moved Jan. 22 said the Aga Khan was born in 1956.
