The Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims globally for nearly seven decades and a superyacht owner, died yesterday. He was 88 years old.
Born on December 13, 1936 in Geneva, Switzerland, the then-Prince Karim al-Husayn Shah gained the title of Aga Khan at just 20 years old. He had been attending Harvard University in Massachusetts when his grandfather, Aga Khan III, chose him as his successor. The prince officially became Aga Khan IV in October 1957, returning to Harvard a year and a half later to complete his studies. He retained the title until the day he died.
Besides being a spiritual leader, the Aga Khan had a shrewd eye for business and was a philanthropist. He additionally created connections between Muslim societies and western cultures. In fact, one of the most significant examples of the latter was the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS). Sardinia’s center for superyachts opened in Porto Cervo in 1967, along the island’s so-called Emerald Coast. It has earned renown for its waters and winds, going on to host numerous regattas. For instance, the Perini Navi Cup and the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta have regularly taken place there. Additionally, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup (below has taken place at the YCCS annually since 1980, thanks to the Aga Khan’s direct involvement.
The Aga Khan personally enjoyed yachting, too. In 1983, for example, he took delivery of Shergar, a custom 153-footer (46.6-meter) from Lürssen. No traditional cruiser, she could hit a top speed of 45 knots. The steel-hulled yacht further cruises around 40 knots. Yet another super-fast superyacht followed in 2014, Alamshar. Bearing the same name as one of his famous racehorses, this 164-footer (49.9-meter) clocked in at an extraordinary 65 knots. She wasn’t without challenges, however. Technical issues with her turbine engines and a fire delayed her delivery from Devonport Yachts by several years.
The Aga Khan, who died in Portugal, leaves three sons and a daughter.
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