The late Aga Khan IV experienced two high-profile failed marriages, first with British model Sarah Croker Poolem and later with German-born Gabriele Homey.
He was a spiritual leader among the Ismaili Muslims, the 49th hereditary Imam, and a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad himself.
He vowed to try and improve the condition of the frailest fraction of the human population.
Highlights
- Aga Khan was a 49th hereditary Imam and a spiritual leader among the Ismaili Muslims.
- He was married to British model Sarah Frances Croker Poole, but the marriage officially ended in 1995.
- Khan had fought a ten-year public battle through the course to divorce Princess Inaara, aka Gabriele zu Leiningen.
His work and spirit were responsible for founding and directing the Aga Khan Development Network, which serves several countries regarding education, health, and economic development.
Khan was for an intellectual and humane understanding of Islam, which advances tolerance and dignity among human beings.
Though influential worldwide, he avoided politics and worked for bride-building between Muslim societies and the West.
Aga Khan IV‘s First Marriage: The British Model Who Became a Princess and Their £27 Million Divorce
Before Aga Khan’s decade-long divorce battle with Princess Inaara, he married British model Sarah Frances Croker Poole, later known as Begum Salimah Aga Khan.
Their love story started in the late 1960s, and in 1969, they had a very opulent wedding.
Deepest condolences to the family and to the Ismaili community on the sad passing of Prince Karim Aga Khan. His signature legacy of leading on crucial social and development work, his generosity & vision leave behind many transformational milestones across borders and barriers.… pic.twitter.com/gQlfVDQL1r
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) February 5, 2025
The beautiful Salimah, previously married to Lord James Charles Crichton Stuart, fit the royal role easily, now becoming the Begum of the Ismaili world.
This marriage had three children: Princess Zahra Aga Khan, Prince Rahim Aga Khan, and Prince Hussain Aga Khan.
They were cast as the ideal royal couple for years and attended international events, leading different philanthropic campaigns.
Behind those grand appearances, however, their marriage began falling apart until the two separated in 1984.
After much negotiation, the marriage officially came to an end in 1995, which ended their marriage of 26 years.
Even after the divorce, Salimah retained the title of Princess but no longer used the style of “Highness.”
Of course, when they split, the talk of the town was her enviable collection of jewels that she had auctioned at Christie’s in Geneva for $27.6 million.
Late Aga Khan‘s 10-Year Divorce Battle: How a German Princess Won a £50 Million Settlement
The Aga Khan has fought a ten-year public battle through the course to divorce Princess Inaara.
The two married in 1998. Princess Inaara, previously known as Gabriele zu Leiningen, converted to Islam.
We have to keep in mind that Gabriele Prinzessin zu Leiningen was married to Karim Aga Khan IV. until their final divorce in March of 2014.
She was born in 1963 in Franfurt, Germany. Bodo Thyssen had adopted her. That’s the Thyssen-Krupp Family: “Hart wie Krupp-Stahl”. pic.twitter.com/9N3pv48moB
— FrauHodl (@FrauHodl) March 20, 2024
However, it collapsed in divorce in 2004, and she accused him of adultery, even hiring a private detective to shadow him.
In 2011, a French court awarded Princess Inaara £10.3 million and £54 million by a higher court.
Mr Aga appealed the historic award, extending the case for several years.
After years of fighting in court and negotiations, the divorce was finally settled with a secret agreement reportedly worth £50 million in 2014.
That allowed the spiritual leader to return his focus to his global philanthropic projects aimed at educating, providing health, and developing regions in struggle.
At the same time, it freed him up to pursue other passions, such as skipping horse racing and matching among them.
The personal scandals never dented his position as a respected leader of the Ismaili Muslim community.
Additional Information
- Aga Khan’s net worth is estimated at around $13 billion as of 2025.
- His second wife, Begum Inaara Aga Khan, welcomed their only child, Aly Muhammad Aga Khan, on March 7, 2000.
- Khan was born to his parents: his father, Aly Khan, and his mother, Joan Yarde-Buller.
