Salimah Aga Khan (née Sarah Frances Croker Poole; born 28 January 1940), also known as Begum Salimah Aga Khan, is a former fashion model and an ex-wife of the 49th Ismaili Shia Imam and 4th Aga Khan, Prince Karim Aga Khan.
| Salimah Aga Khan | |
|---|---|
| Begum Aga Khan | |
| Born | Sarah Frances Croker Poole 28 January 1940 New Delhi, British India |
| Spouse | |
| Issue | |
| Father | Arthur Eric Croker Poole |
| Mother | Jean Margaret Watson |
| Religion | Nizari Ismaili Shia Islam |
Early life
editPrincess Salimah was born at New Delhi, British India, as Sarah Frances Croker Poole.[1] She is the daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Eric Croker Poole and his wife, Jean Margaret Watson. She was one of the last generation of debutantes to be presented to the Queen, in 1958.[2]
She married, firstly, Lord James Charles Crichton-Stuart, son of John Crichton-Stuart, 5th Marquess of Bute and Lady Eileen Beatrice Forbes, on 25 June 1959. She and Lord James Charles Crichton-Stuart were divorced in 1968.
She married, secondly, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, son of Prince Aly Khan and Hon. Princess Taj-ud-dawlah Aga Khan, in 1969. During her marriage to the Aga Khan, her official name was Her Highness The Begum Aga Khan, although she remained informally known as Sally. Following their divorce in 1995, she kept the title of "Princess" (but losing the style "Highness").
In November 1995, "Jewels from the Personal Collection of Princess Salimah Aga Khan" realised $27,682,601 (equivalent to $55,353,111 in 2023) at Christie's, Geneva.[3]
Charitable career
editShe is now a child-welfare activist and a prominent supporter of the charity SOS Children's Villages, becoming its first International Ambassador. [4] As part of her welfare activity she has also aided Afghan refugees.
She has also been active in the Aga Khan Development Network.
Personal life
editShe has three children with the Aga Khan: Princess Zahra Aga Khan (born 18 September 1970), Prince Rahim Aga Khan (born 12 October 1971) and Prince Hussain Aga Khan (born 10 April 1974).
Salimah Aga Khan has lived in Geneva, Switzerland, since 1969.
References
edit- ^ "Aga Khan fails to stop former wife's jewellery sale". Independent.co.uk. 11 November 1995. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
- ^ "High Society: Whatever happened to the last of the debs?". Independent. 24 September 2006. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- ^ "Top Ten Most Expensive Private Jewelry Collections Sold at Auction". Jewelsdujour.com. 13 January 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
- ^ "Interview with Princess Salimah Aga Khan" (PDF). Sameeragokalfoundation.org. Retrieved 11 April 2018.