Princess Zahra Aga Khan

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Princess Zahra honoured with Kenyan award


President William Samoei Ruto congratulates Princess Zahra at State House in Nairobi on 13 February 2026.Photo: AKDN / Linx Productions


Princess Zahra addresses guests at State House in Nairobi upon receiving the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart, one of Kenya’s highest civilian honours.Photo: AKDN / Linx Productions


President William Samoei Ruto awards the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart to Princess Zahra at State House in Nairobi on 13 February 2026.Photo: State House Kenya


President William Samoei Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto with Princess Zahra, Prince Amyn, and leaders of the Jamat and AKDN.Photo: AKDN / Linx Production

Princess Zahra was decorated today with the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H.), one of Kenya’s highest civilian honours, in recognition of her distinguished service to the nation’s health, education, and socio-economic development.

President William Samoei Ruto presented the award at State House in Nairobi, praising Princess Zahra’s leadership and the enduring partnership between Kenya and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).

“Today, we honour you not only for your leadership, but also for your friendship and partnership,” President Ruto said. “We do so with confidence that the bonds between us will grow even stronger, advancing our shared pursuit of dignity, justice, and prosperity for our nation, our region, and the world.”

Princess Zahra is currently in Kenya to preside over the Aga Khan University convocation ceremony in her capacity as Pro-Chancellor. In accepting the honour, she paid tribute to the thousands of AKDN staff and volunteers working across the country.

“During my late father’s life, he built many many institutions in this country in many different sectors, and I would like to accept this award on behalf of the over 15,000 AKDN employees and many volunteers who live here,” Princess Zahra said.

She also acknowledged the Jamat’s contributions to Kenya’s progress over more than a century, and reaffirmed AKDN’s continued commitment to advancing healthcare, education, economic development, and quality of life across the country.

The award citation specifically recognised her “faithful service, steadfast partnership with our nation, and enduring contribution to the advancement of health, education, and socio economic development for the people of Kenya and for humanity at large.”

“[She] stands before us today not merely as a leader of institutions, but as a quiet architect of human dignity,” the citation continued. “Her life’s work reflects a rare constancy of purpose: to serve, to uplift, and to build systems that endure beyond a single generation.”

This honour continues a tradition of recognition for the Ismaili Imamat’s work in Kenya. Mawlana Shah Karim received the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (C.G.H.) in 2007 from President Mwai Kibaki, while Mawlana Hazar Imam received the same honour during his visit to Kenya in August 2025.

First Lady Rachel Ruto also addressed the ceremony, thanking Princess Zahra for her “commitment, steady leadership, and unwavering belief in the potential of our people.”

AKDN’s presence in Kenya includes education initiatives dating to 1918, healthcare facilities serving over a million patients annually, major economic enterprises, and environmental programmes that have planted more than 12 million trees across the country.

Princess Zahra has been actively involved in AKDN’s work and governance for more than three decades. Appointed Pro-Chancellor of the Aga Khan University in 2025 after serving as a Trustee since 2003, she also serves as a Trustee of the University of Central Asia and sits on the boards of the Aga Khan Foundation, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, and the Global Centre for Pluralism.

https://the.ismaili/gb/en/news/princess ... nyan-award

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Princess Zahra Aga Khan met with Tanzania’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Dr Ngwaru Maghembe.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 13 February 2026 - Princess Zahra Aga Khan, on her arrival in Dar es Salaam this week, met with Tanzania’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Dr Ngwaru Maghembe, on behalf of the Foreign Minister.

The Ismaili Imamat and Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) are proud of their longstanding partnership with the Government of Tanzania, working alongside communities to expand opportunities and improve lives.

For over a century, AKDN agencies have invested in health care, education, economic inclusion, agriculture and community-led development – strengthening health systems, training professionals, supporting farmers and local enterprise groups, and expanding access to quality schooling – contributingto Tanzania’s social and economic development across generations.

https://the.akdn/en/resources-media/wha ... n-minister

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2026, February 14:

As seen on Valentine day on Limuru Road in Nairobi, Kenya: It seems that Princess Zarah Aga Khan commented that it was the first time that she was looking at herself in a buildboard and it was nice. Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart!



Found this message on Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/ismailis/comme ... tines_day/

I was waiting outside the convocation with other jamati members for Princess and Prince Amin to leave . A senior member of the security team came to tell us not to move forward from where we were standing . I wanted to give a rose to Princess for Valentine’s Day but he refused . He then commented that the Princess was in a very good mood today because of the huge billboard on Limuru Road . She asked her driver to slow down so that she could look at the billboard properly . The driver told this when questioned why he had slowed down . He told them that the Princess was really laughing and commented that she had not seen herself on the billboard before . She asked Shahbuddin who had done this but he said it was not the university and he didn’t know . She was then just smiling all the way to the convocation venue and yes we did notice that she was very jovial throughout the convocation ceremony . After the Prince and Princess had left , I drove to Limuru road to see the billboard and posted the image

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2026, April 17: Princess Zahra was the Guest of Honour at the first day of the Global Ismaili Health Professionals Conference held at the Ismaili Center Houston.

VIDEO SPEECH AND MORE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3rF4jlNRwI

VIDEO: https://ismaili.net/timeline/2026/2026-04-18-zahra1.mp4

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https://the.ismaili/gb/en/news/global-i ... re-of-care

Global Ismaili health conference sets sights on future of care
18 Apr 2026



Princess Zahra is welcomed to the Ismaili Center in Houston by leaders of Aga Khan Health Boards around the world.
Photo: IPL / Akbar Hakim

Princess Zahra joined more than 800 healthcare professionals from around the world at the Ismaili Center in Houston for a landmark three-day event centered on healthcare innovation, partnerships, and purpose.

Being held from 17 to 19 April under the theme Healthcare Innovation Through Partnerships: Bridging Global Health Challenges, the Global Ismaili Health Professionals Conference brings together physicians, nurses, researchers, and allied health professionals for three days of scientific exchange, panel discussions, and visionary leadership conversations.

As Guest of Honour, Princess Zahra addressed a packed audience, offering reflections on service, purpose, and the responsibilities that come with expertise in a world of deepening health inequities. “Strive for the best you can in the contexts you are working in, no matter where that is,” she said.

Princess Zahra also participated in a moderated conversation titled Advancing Global Health Through Partnership and Purpose. The wide-ranging dialogue explored how institutional collaboration, cross-border learning, and a commitment to ethical service could together reshape global health outcomes.

During the session, Princess Zahra expressed her gratitude to the assembled healthcare professionals for the depth of their dedication and the breadth of their impact: “To all of you, who have such busy lives and never get enough sleep, to come here and do what you do, I wanted to thank you very much for that.”

Other sessions explored topics ranging from artificial intelligence in clinical care and mental health system-building to the intersection of climate change and global health, excellence in nursing, and new models of care delivery. The latter session underscored a broader conference commitment to elevating the full spectrum of healthcare work — not only medicine, but the compassionate, often invisible labour that holds health systems together.

Distinguished lectures, scientific presentations, abstract and poster sessions, and interdisciplinary breakout groups gave attendees — from early-career clinicians to senior institutional leaders — opportunities to contribute to and shape the field’s evolving frontier.

For several decades, Princess Zahra has championed initiatives that expand access to quality healthcare and strengthen systems to improve lives globally, primarily through the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). The Network — which operates health systems across Asia and Africa — featured prominently throughout sessions as a model of what equitable, mission-driven global health infrastructure can look like.

Yesterday, Princess Zahra had an opportunity to meet with alumni of the Aga Khan University, including graduates from its School of Nursing’s inaugural class of 1983. The reunion highlighted the enduring service and accomplishments of graduates around the world over more than four decades.

This year’s event has grown into a flagship forum for healthcare professionals who are not only advancing clinical excellence but also shaping society through public policy, education, social entrepreneurship, and community development. The conference, closing tomorrow, has reignited a collective reaffirmation: that advancing equitable, compassionate, and innovative healthcare worldwide is both a professional obligation, and a moral one.

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https://gihpc.com/princess-zahra-aga-khan/

Princess Zahra Aga Khan is a Member of the Board of Directors of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). She has policy and management responsibility for the Health, Education, and Planning and Building Services Companies of the AKDN and their institutions, working in more than a dozen countries in the Developing World. She is also involved at the strategic level with other agencies of the AKDN, working in the areas of social and economic development. She also sits on the Boards of the Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance and the Global Centre for Pluralism.

Princess Zahra was appointed to the AKU Board of Trustees in 2003 at the invitation of its Founder, His late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV. In February 2025, she was appointed its Pro-Chancellor by the Chancellor, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V. The appointment reflects her significant contributions to AKU’s growth and her deep understanding of AKU’s plans, programmes and founding vision.

As Pro-Chancellor, she acts on behalf of the Chancellor, guiding AKU’s pursuit of excellence in education, healthcare, and community service while upholding the vision of its Founder.

Princess Zahra attended Le Rosey School in Switzerland and received her undergraduate degree cum laude in Development Studies from Harvard University (AB’94). She also completed a four-month program at Massachusetts General Hospital to enhance her understanding of healthcare systems and the delivery of advanced medical care, and an Executive Finance course at IMD in Lausanne. ​
princess-zahra-headshot

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2026, April 26: Princess Zahra Aga Khan's Horse Wins at Longchamps!

The 2025 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Daryz made the perfect return to action with a sparkling display in the Group One Prix Ganay at Parislongchamp on teed up a big campaign for the new year.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/ImbWRhi4ARk?si=9BcmnpnKqkl6Rvc9

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https://sg.news.yahoo.com/princess-zahr ... 00138.html
Princess Zahra Aga Khan interview: I know what happened to Shergar
Marcus Armytage
Sat, 13 June 2026 at 1:00 am GMT-4


Princess Zahra Aga Khan at her horse training establishment in Chantilly, France - Anya Campbell Photography

It is the greatest mystery in sporting history: What really happened to Shergar? The theories are plentiful and many of them absurd: that the world’s most best-known stallion, which was stolen from an Irish stud yard on the night of February 8, 1983, had been traded to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi by the IRA in exchange for weapons, that it had been seen being ridden by Lord Lucan, or that it was part of a mafia revenge plot.

But now, 43 years on, the truth can be confirmed – by Princess Zahra Aga Khan, the daughter of Shergar’s owner, the Aga Khan.

“I remember everything about Shergar,” she says in her first major interview since taking over her father’s horse-racing empire after his death last February. “We now know the horse was killed within two days [of being kidnapped]. They did so in an awful way.”

It has always been suspected that Shergar’s disappearance was the work of the IRA. They were the immediate suspects when six armed and masked men arrived at Ballymany Stud on that night 43 years ago. They told James Fitzgerald, head groom, that they were taking Shergar and would demand a £2m ransom for a horse that had become a sensation after obliterating the field to win the 1981 Derby, with his victory by 10 lengths memorably soundtracked by Peter Bromley, the BBC commentator, when he said: “You need a telescope to see the rest!”

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-rtZvofLPs&t=2s

The kidnapping became front-page news almost immediately, as the thieves made their ransom demands. They at first communicated through Jeremy Maxwell, a horse trainer, before later declaring they would only deal with three British horse-racing journalists: John Oaksey of The Daily Telegraph and his ITV colleague Derek Thompson, and Peter Campling of The Sun.

The Aga Khan, the 49th imam of the Ismaili Muslims, is often held as responsible for not paying the ransom, but Princess Zahra explains that because of the horse being owned by a syndicate her father could not do so alone, and the prospect of helping to fund the IRA influenced the refusal to do so. She recalls the devastating effect it had on her father.

“I remember everything about Shergar,” she tells Telegraph Sport. “I was 12. We were in the mountains, we went up for breakfast and my father was sitting at a table, he was green, head in his hands, he’d been up for hours, we knew we couldn’t bother him. It went on and on.

“It was a protracted part of my childhood. Dad was so upset, there was great disbelief. People didn’t understand the horse was syndicated (the Aga Khan had actually only retained four out of 40 shares) and the ransom demand was only for 10 per cent of his stud value.

“I remember Dad saying over and over, not only was the horse not insured against kidnapping because who the hell was going to think of kidnapping a horse, but because the horse was syndicated he couldn’t get everyone to agree on what to do. He also argued that even if he could pay the ransom, he couldn’t do so if it was going to be used against human beings.”

Garda road checks stop and search horse boxes on the Newbridge-Naas road near where Shergar was taken in 1983 - PA

The kidnappers sent repeated requests for payment, supplying photographs of Shergar’s head next to each day’s newspaper as proof he was still alive. The fact that it was the head alone was not enough to convince the syndicate, and the trail went cold a fortnight after the horse’s disappearance.

Since then there has been no conclusive evidence about what happened to Shergar, although a Sunday Telegraph stated in 2008 that the horse had been machine-gunned to death four days after being kidnapped, having been injured while being transferred.

The truth, says Princess Zahra, is that Shergar met his end earlier than previously thought, revealing it was two days after being kidnapped.

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https://www.msn.com/en-ie/sports/genera ... r-AA25yYA0

Irish Mirror 14 June 2026
Aga Khan's daughter details 'awful' details on Shergar kidnapping
Story by Robert Hynes


Shergar with Aga Khan after winning the Irish Derby at The Curragh in 1980 © Getty Images

The daughter of the Aga Khan, who co-owned the stolen racehorse Shergar, has disclosed that the celebrated stallion met his end "in an awful way" and that no ransom was handed over due to concerns about the funds falling into dangerous hands.

It has been 45 years since the striking bay with a distinctive white blaze cemented his place amongst the greatest horses of the 20th century, claiming victory in the Derby at Epsom by an astonishing 10 lengths - a margin that remains unmatched in the race's history dating back to 1780.

Yet Shergar's extraordinary success on the track represented just part of his story. On the evening of 8 February 1983, intruders forced their way into the Aga Khan's Ballymany Stud in County Kildare and abducted the horse.

The IRA were considered the primary suspects in the kidnapping, which saw six armed individuals involved, and it is widely believed that those responsible lacked the expertise to handle a thoroughbred stallion, resulting in his death shortly after. His body has never been recovered.

Princess Zahra Aga Khan has now explained how a £2 million ransom demanded for Shergar's safe return went unpaid, with fears the money could be "used against human beings", while also confirming the horse had no kidnap insurance in place.

Speaking to Telegraph Sport, she said: "We now know the horse was killed within two days (of being taken). They did so in an awful way."

She revealed that her late father, the 49th imam and spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims, had been unable to pay the ransom single-handedly as Shergar was owned by a syndicate, requiring unanimous agreement from all parties involved.

Princess Zahra, who was just 12 years old at the time, recalled: "Dad was so upset, there was great disbelief.

"People didn't understand the horse was syndicated and the ransom demand was only for 10 per cent of his stud value.

"I remember Dad saying over and over, not only was the horse not insured against kidnapping – because who the hell was going to think of kidnapping a horse? – but because the horse was syndicated he couldn't get everyone to agree on what to do.


King Charles with Princess Zahra Aga Khan © Getty Images

"He also argued that even if he could pay the ransom, he couldn't do so if (the money) was going to be used against human beings."

She further disclosed that Shergar had been killed just two days after his abduction, sooner than had previously been believed, stating "it was very unprofessionally done, and when they finally killed him they did so in an awful way."

She went on to say: "The horse didn't deserve that. Even as a stallion he was the kindest horse in the world, he was so unfairly treated.

"And why? He was a national symbol of Irish breeding and racing.

"It's a long time ago, it was a very different world and people had different motivations back then."