The Aga Khan who mystifyingly combined the role of spiritual leader and generous philanthropist with astonishing wealth and a turbulent, well-publicised romantic life has died aged 88. Well known for his racehorses, which included the 2016 Derby winner and the kidnapped Shergar, he owned the largest horse racing and breeding operation in France which brought him into regular, friendly contact with Queen Elizabeth 11.
His charities are famous for their work in poor and war-torn parts of the world, working in over 30 countries with an annual budget of about $1 billion.
His followers say he was a direct descendent of the Prophet Mohammed and he inherited his title from his grandfather Aga Khan 111 in 1957 aged just 20. His first wife was a British model and his second a German former pop singer.
Born 13 December 1936 7.15am Geneva, Switzerland, he had an upbeat first house Moon, Sun in Sagittarius square Neptune in the 9th which latter may point to his international charitable work; with Neptune in a hope-for-a-better-society opposition to Saturn. His Jupiter was exactly conjunct Ceres which would also bring a wish to care for others and an interest in nature (horses). He had Pluto in the 8th, a hint of the intergenerational challenges and influence given to him which opposed Venus in Aquarius. His passionate Venus Pluto plus a 5th house Uranus would point to a tumultuous romantic life.
His father Prince Aly Khan, 13 June 1911 2pm Turin, Italy, a socialite, racehorse owner and third husband of actress Rita Hayworth, who did not inherit the title from his father had Saturn in the 8th with Uranus in his 4th opposition a 10th house Neptune; plus a controlling/over-controlling father Sun Pluto in Gemini in his 9th; and an over-expansive Jupiterian yod. His charming Venus in Leo was in a passionately enthusiastic trine to a 7th house Mars and a frivolous square to his emphasized Jupiter.
One generation back, Aga Khan 111 born 2 November 1877 6pm Karachi, Pakistan, promoted Muslim rights in India and like his grandson was keen to improve women’s education. In line with the family tradition he owned racehorses and had several marriages. He had a Scorpio Sun opposition Neptune in Taurus and trine a hard-edged Saturn Mars in Pisces. Pluto in Taurus in his 1st squared Uranus in Leo on the cusp of his 5th house so he would be a keen reformer. He had a lucky Jupiter Venus conjunction in his 8th house.
Prince Rahim, 12 October 1971 6pm Geneva, Switzerland, who is expected to become the new Aga Khan though it has not yet been announced – also has Jupiter in his 8th hinting at luck with inherited wealth, in his case conjunct Neptune and opposition Saturn. He has been involved for many years with the Aga Khan Development Network, whose remit is to improve the quality of life in different regions of Asia and Africa. It focuses on health, education, culture, rural development, institution building, and economic development and providing opportunities for the poor without regard to faith, origin, or gender.
Like his father he has a notable Saturn opposition Neptune which has an interest in fostering the weak and disadvantaged; and a full 6th house with Pluto and his Libra Uranus Sun there which could point to a life of service.
Interesting that Aga Khan IV has Pisces-Virgo axis intercepted and Saturn, his 2nd house ruler intercepted in the 4th (whole signs) and his 1st house ruler Jupiter in the 2nd with Mercury. 2nd and 4th house ruler exchange signs. It could be that there was multi generational wealth from property or real estate, a lot of it undisclosed and hidden from the public.
And his 5th ruler Mars in 11th square his 1st house ruler Jupiter in 2nd- compelling or pressuring the community to build personal wealth that is then spent on personal pursuits. A very cyclical relationship between 1st-5th house.
His life in terms of interpersonal relationships, however, could not have been easy what with that combust Moon with Nodes in the 1st-7th house axis.
One of my mum’s friends, a very elderly gentleman now, is a follower of the Aga Khan (at least I think so, but I am relying on memories of a few decades ago) and he had given me an insight into how the community works.
For a start, the members of the community (all the men for sure, though it is open to women as well) are encouraged to start/own their own business and not to work for somebody else. The community initially funds such businesses, in return for a cut of future profits. There is a heavy emphasis on wealth creation in the community.
Quite apart from the tithes and return on investments in the businesses of its members, the community often donates to the Aga Khan and their initiatives at regular intervals. I was told of how communities of the followers would come together to weigh the Aga Khan in silver and gold and donate that sum to him.
As for the theological side of things, there are a couple of very interesting videos on Youtube by “Let’s Talk Religion” on the Nizari Ismailis (the name for the community led by the Aga Khan) and one on “Shia Imams Family Tree” by “Useful Charts” that may be of interest to some.
Apologies, this was meant as a response to El Aznar below, not a standalone comment.
For anyone who’s interested, the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto is quite spectacular. It houses major artistic works from Muslim creatives that exhibit and promote their history, culture, and religion through the centuries. Many of us in Canada were sad to hear of his passing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aga_Khan_Museum
From myth, we get numerous indicators for horses: Epona, Diana, Steed,
Chiron, Jupiter, Poseidon. Plotting these on Khan IV’s chart, we can
see why he had an interest in horses.
https://ibb.co/m53Yvyc1
I think maybe a much more, or equally, interesting character is one of his former wives, Gabriele, Princess zu Leiningen.
One The Daily Mail title about her goes “Married to TWO princes (with one followed around the world to see if he cheated on her), a decade-long divorce and a £54m settlement… the fascinating background behind Porsche billionaire’s new love”. Born 1 April 1963, in Frankfurt am Main, West Germany.
One of the questions I’d have about her is what is she officially known as now, and if she is still a princess, how can she be that, when the divorce to her first prince husband happened so long ago.
Thanks @ElAznar, the exact two things I was curious about!
You’re welcome!
I’ve known about him, I think, ever since Forbes published those ‘richest royals’ lists that then too soon vanished never to come back.
I asked Google “where does aga khan wealth come from” and the highlighted reply said “The Aga Khans’ immense wealth paretially comes from tithe-style donations by well-to-do members within the Ismaili community. His successor as the next spiritual leader of Ismailis was designated in his will, which will be read in the presence of his family and religious leaders before the name is publicly announced.” It is from rferl.org.