The Aga Khan

His Highness Karim Aga Khan IV is the Imam of the Shi'a Imami Ismaili sect of Shia muslimss. On July 11th at the age of 20 he suceeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan (Aga Khan III). He is the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shi'a Imami Ismaili Muslims and a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law, Ali, the first Imam, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet's daughter. The title His Highness was granted by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom in 1957, and His Royal Highness by the Shah of Iran in 1959.

Here he is seen with his daughter Princess Zahra. Besides doing various philanthropic work His Highness is also an emminent race horse breeder and owner. He owns the Aga khan studs which have produced world class thouroughbred horses - he has had four Epsom Derby winners which is a record in itself and many other winners of group races throughout Europe. He was in the game long before the Maktoums of Dubai came in. He live s in France now.