A few facts to know about the Aga Khan: philanthropist and spiritual leader

OTTAWA – Who is the Aga Khan? A quick primer:

— Prince Karim Aga Khan IV is the 49th hereditary heir and spiritual leader of the world’s 15 million Ismaili Muslims.

— He heads up the Aga Khan Development Network, which helps social and economic development in some of the poorest countries in the world.

— He was born Dec. 13, 1936, in Geneva, Switzerland. Grew up in Nairobi, Kenya.

— He graduated from Harvard University in 1959 with an honours undergraduate degree in Islamic history.

— The Shah of Persia granted the honorary hereditary title of “Aga Khan” on the family in 1818.

— Queen Elizabeth granted the title of “His Highness” in 1957.

— He was named an honorary Canadian citizen in 2010.

— His personal net worth is estimated to be more than $800 million US.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. An earlier version moved Jan. 22 said the Aga Khan was born in 1956.