Billionaire and descendant of the Prophet Mohammed Karim Aga Khan, who was a friend of Elizabeth II, has died. Photo.

Billionaire philanthropist and 49th Imam of Ismaili Muslims Karim Aga Khan has died at the age of 88. He passed away peacefully in Lisbon, Portugal, surrounded by his family.

This was reported by his charitable organization, the Aga Khan Development Network, BBC reports. He was a friend not only of King Charles III but also of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II.

According to the source, Charles III is deeply saddened by the loss of his friend and keeps in touch with the family of the deceased. Karim Aga Khan was born in Switzerland, had British citizenship and lived in France.

Throughout his life, he was involved in philanthropy and business. His foundations funded hundreds of hospitals, educational and cultural projects, mostly in developing countries. At the same time, he led a luxurious lifestyle, with a private island in the Bahamas, a yacht, and his own airplane.

In 1957, Karim Aga Khan became the leader of the Ismaili community at the age of 20, inheriting the title of imam from his grandfather. In particular, his family tree stretches back to the Prophet Mohammed.

Reference: The Ismailis are one of the largest Shiite sects in Islam, which emerged in the eighth century. Its representatives recognize an imam as their spiritual leader, whose title is inherited. The 49th Imam of the Ismailis was Karim Aga Khan IV.

According to Forbes, he was worth $1 billion in 2008. He invested in numerous businesses, including horse racing, and became one of the most successful racehorse owners and breeders in the UK, France, and Ireland. His most famous horse, Shergar, won the Epsom Derby in 1981, but was kidnapped in 1983 and never found.

In addition to equestrianism, Aga Khan was actively involved in cultural and educational initiatives. He founded the Aga Khan Charitable Foundation, a university in Karachi, and supported the Aga Khan Program in Islamic Architecture at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called Karim Aga Khan "a man of vision, faith and generosity," and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised him as "a symbol of peace, tolerance and compassion."

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