Aga Khan V facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V
NPk CGH
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|---|---|
| آقاخان پنجم | |
| Occupation | Imam (spiritual leader) Philanthropist |
| 50th hereditary Imam of Nizari Isma'ili Muslims | |
| 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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| Relatives |
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| House | Fatimid |
| Father | Aga Khan IV |
| Mother | Salimah Aga Khan |
| Religion | Nizari Isma'ilism Shia Islam |
Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan (born 12 October 1971) is also known as the Aga Khan V. He is a religious leader, businessman, and socialite. He is best known as the 50th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Nizari Isma'ili Muslims. These Muslims believe they are descended from Muhammad, through his daughter, Fatima, and his cousin, Ali. Today, the Ismailis are the only Shia Muslim group led by a living hereditary Imam.
Prince Rahim is the second of Aga Khan IV's four children. He became the Imam after his father passed away on 4 February 2025. His followers call him Mawlānā Hazar Imām, which means "the present Imam". He is the fifth Nizari Imam to hold the title Aga Khan.
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Early Life and Education
Prince Rahim Aga Khan was born on 12 October 1971, in Geneva, Switzerland. He is the oldest son of Aga Khan IV (Prince Karim Al-Husseini) and his first wife, Princess Salimah Aga Khan.
Prince Rahim studied in the United States. He finished high school at Phillips Academy Andover in 1990. In 1995, he earned a bachelor's degree in comparative literature from Brown University. He also completed graduate studies in management in Barcelona, Spain, in 2006.
Prince Rahim lives in Geneva, Switzerland. He has been very involved with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) for many years. The AKDN is a group of agencies that work to improve living conditions and opportunities for people in developing countries. Since 2020, he has led the AKDN Environment and Climate Committee. This committee focuses on protecting the environment. He also serves on the boards of several AKDN agencies.
Becoming the Ismaili Imam
The Ismaili Imamat is a special leadership role that is passed down through families. It started with Hazrat Ali, who was the first Shia Imam. He was the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad. Ali was married to Hazrat Bibi Fatimat-az-Zahra, Muhammad's daughter.
When Aga Khan IV passed away, his oldest son, Prince Rahim al-Hussaini, was named the 50th hereditary Imam. This happened on 4 February 2025, in Lisbon, Portugal. In the history of Shia Ismailis, the Imam chooses his successor. He can pick any of his male descendants.
About the Ismaili Community
The Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, often called Ismailis, are part of the Shia branch of Islam. Shia and Sunni are the two main groups in Islam. The Ismaili community is the second-largest Shia group in the world.
Ismailis live in over 35 countries. You can find them mainly in Central, East, and South Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, North America, and Australia. There are about 12 to 15 million Ismailis worldwide. Like all Muslims, Ismailis come from many different cultures, speak various languages, and have different nationalities.
The Ismailis are unique because they are led by a living Imam who inherits his role. They call the Aga Khan V by the title “Mawlānā Hazar Imām,” meaning "the present Imam."
Personal Life
Prince Rahim married Kendra Irene Spears on 31 August 2013, in Geneva. They have two sons: Prince Irfan, born on 11 April 2015, and Prince Sinan, born on 2 January 2017. The couple divorced in February 2022. In 2019, Prince Rahim bought a house in Unstad, Norway.
Titles and Honours
The titles Prince and Princess are used by the Aga Khans and their children. This is because they are descendants of Shah Fath Ali Shah of the Persian Qajar dynasty. The British government officially recognized this title in 1938.
The title Aga Khan means "lord and master." It was first given to Hasan Ali Shah when he was young. This title has been passed down through his family ever since.
The special title of His Highness was officially given to the Aga Khan V by King Charles III on 10 February 2025. This was done to mark Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan becoming the fiftieth hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community. It also continues a long tradition between the Ismaili Imams and the British Monarch.
Honours Received
Pakistan:
- Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Pakistan (received on 7 June 2024)
Kenya:
- Chief Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (CGH, received on 8 March 2025)
Egypt:
- Symbolic Key to the City of Aswan from the Governor of Aswan (received on 9 February 2025)
