Aga Khan V facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aga Khan V
MEOPA NPk CGH
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| آقاخان پنجم | |
The Aga Khan (right) in 2025 with the Governor of Aswan Governorate, Egypt
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| 50th hereditary Imam of Nizari Isma'ili | |
| Tenure | 4 February 2025 – present |
| Installation | 11 February 2025 |
| Predecessor | Aga Khan IV |
| Born | Rahim al-Hussaini 12 October 1971 Geneva, Switzerland |
| Spouse |
Kendra Irene Spears
(m. 2013; div. 2022) |
| Issue |
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| House | Fatimid |
| Father | Aga Khan IV |
| Mother | Salimah Aga Khan |
| Religion | Nizari Ismailism |
| Occupation |
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Prince Shah Rahim al-Hussaini (born October 12, 1971), also known as the Aga Khan V, is an important religious leader. He is also known for his charity work and business activities. He is the 50th hereditary Imam of the Nizari Isma'ili Muslims. An Imam is a spiritual leader for this group of Shia Muslims. The Nizari Ismailis believe their Imam is a living, direct descendant of their past leaders.
He is the second child of Shah Karim al-Husseini. Shah Karim al-Husseini was known as the Aga Khan IV. Prince Rahim became the Nizari Imam after his father passed away on February 4, 2025. He is the fifth person in his family to hold the special title of Aga Khan.
Contents
Growing Up and Learning
Early Years and School
Prince Rahim Aga Khan was born in Geneva, Switzerland, on October 12, 1971. He is the oldest son of Shah Karim al-Husseini and his first wife, Salimah Aga Khan.
He went to school in the United States. He finished high school at Phillips Academy Andover in Massachusetts in 1990. Later, he earned a bachelor's degree in comparative literature from Brown University in 1995. In 2006, he studied management and administration in Barcelona, Spain. He attended the IESE Business School at the University of Navarra.
Working for the Community
Prince Rahim lives in Geneva, Switzerland. For many years, he has worked with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). This organization helps people around the world. He led the AKDN's committee focused on the environment and climate.
By 2019, Prince Rahim was part of the leadership for several AKDN groups. These included the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development and the Aga Khan University Foundation. In 2010, he also started a workshop series at the Watson Institute.
Becoming the Imam
Prince Rahim al-Hussaini was chosen by his father to be the next leader. He became the 50th Imam after his father passed away on February 4, 2025. This important announcement happened at the Ismaili Centre in Lisbon. In the Nizari Ismaili tradition, the current Imam chooses who will be the next leader.
Family Life
Prince Rahim married Kendra Irene Spears on August 31, 2013. They had two children: Irfan, born in 2015, and Sinan, born in 2017. The couple later divorced in February 2022. In 2019, Prince Rahim bought a home in Unstad, Norway.
Special Titles and Awards
The Title of Prince
The Aga Khans and their children use the titles Prince and Princess. This is because they are descendants of Fath Ali Shah, a ruler from the Qajar dynasty in Iran. The British government officially recognized these titles in 1938.
The Title of Aga Khan
The special title "Aga Khan" was first given to Hasan Ali Shah. He was the 46th Imam. When he was thirteen, he traveled to the Qajar court in Tehran with his mother. He sought justice for his father, who had been killed. The Qajar ruler gave him the title "Agha Khan," which means "lord and master." This title has been passed down through his family ever since.
Royal Recognition
King Charles III gave Prince Rahim the title of His Highness on February 10, 2025.
Important Awards
Prince Rahim Aga Khan has received several important awards and honors. These include:
- The Nishan-e-Pakistan from
Pakistan on June 7, 2024. This is a very high civilian award. - The Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya from
Kenya on August 26, 2025. - The Collar of the Most Excellent Order of the Pearl of Africa from
Uganda on September 11, 2025. - He has also received symbolic keys to several cities. These include Aswan in
Egypt, and cities in the 
United States like Sugar Land, Texas, Houston, Dallas, Carrollton, and Euless. - He also received a symbolic key to Toronto in
Canada on March 30, 2026.
