In a world of immense wealth and power, modesty is a rare trait. Yet 55-year-old Princess Zahra Aga Khan has made it her motto. The eldest daughter and sister of the current Aga Khan, Rahim, who inherited the title after their father’s death earlier this year, she is seldom seen in public. This made her appearance at the Royal Ascot races this summer all the more noticeable. The princess arrived in one of the Windsor carriages, sharing it with Princess Beatrice and her husband. Later, she was seen in the royal box alongside King Charles III and Queen Camilla, highlighting her family’s close ties to the British monarchy.
Zahra was born to Prince Karim Aga Khan and the British model Sarah Frances Croker-Poole, who adopted the name Begum Salimah Aga Khan after their 1969 wedding. Renowned as one of the most beautiful women of her era, she left her career to marry the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims. For Zahra, attending Ascot was more than a social occasion; it was a tribute to her late father, with whom she shared a passion for horses. Karim Aga Khan was one of the leading thoroughbred breeders in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and France, and his purebred stallion Shergar became famous as the world’s most expensive racehorse.
The princess is honourably carrying on her father’s legacy. After receiving an outstanding education—first at the elite Swiss institute Le Rosey, then graduating with honours from Harvard with a degree in Development Studies—she dedicated her life to working for the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). For over thirty years, Zahra has overseen projects in health care and education. In 2025, she became the Vice-Chancellor of Aga Khan University, where she had been a member of the Board of Trustees since 2003. Her work spans numerous foundations and organizations, including the Global Centre for Pluralism, which her father established together with the Canadian government.
Unlike her professional life, the princess’s personal life has not always been smooth. In 1997, she married British businessman and former model Mark Boyden. The wedding, held at the Château de Chantilly near Paris, gathered the crème de la crème of European aristocracy, including King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia. However, due to differences in faith, the marriage was civil and ended in 2005. Zahra has two children from this union: daughter Sara and son Ilyan. Today, the princess owns her own stables and has achieved significant success in international competitions, continuing the family tradition.
Zara Aga Khan holds particular significance for Spain due to her close connection with Infanta Cristina. King Felipe VI’s sister has worked for many years in the social department of AKDN in Geneva, where Princess Zara is her direct supervisor. Over the years, their professional relationship has grown into a strong friendship. Despite her considerable influence and stature in global humanitarian circles, the princess avoids interviews and remains an enigma to the wider public, preferring action over words.
