You’ve probably seen the photos. Those grainy, high-glamour shots from the 1970s of a woman who looked more like a Hollywood star than a traditional religious figurehead. That was Princess Salimah Aga Khan. Back then, she was known as "Sally"—the British fashion model who captured the heart of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV.
Honestly, the world was obsessed. Imagine a mix of Grace Kelly’s poise and a 60s London "It Girl" vibe. But behind the private jets and the Sardinian villas, there was a story that most people get totally wrong. They think she just faded into a life of luxury after her marriage ended.
They couldn’t be more wrong.
From Sarah Croker-Poole to the Begum
Born Sarah Frances Croker-Poole in New Delhi in 1941, she wasn't exactly a stranger to high society. Her father was a Lieutenant-Colonel in the British Indian Army. She grew up in that weird, transitioning world of post-colonial Britain. By 1958, she was one of the last debutantes ever presented to Queen Elizabeth II.
She was stunning. People called her one of the most beautiful women in the world.
She had a brief, "disastrous" (her words, kinda) first marriage to Lord James Crichton-Stuart. That didn't last. But then came the meeting that changed everything. In 1968, she met the Aga Khan. He's the spiritual leader—the Imam—of millions of Ismaili Muslims. He's also one of the wealthiest men on the planet.
They married in 1969. She converted to Islam, took the title Begum Salimah Aga Khan, and basically became the face of a modern Islamic dynasty. For 25 years, they were the ultimate power couple. They had three kids: Princess Zahra, Prince Rahim (who is now a major figure in the Aga Khan Development Network), and Prince Hussain.
But here’s the thing: being the Begum wasn't just about wearing fancy clothes. She was constantly on the move through Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. She was visiting schools and hospitals. She was charming diplomats. Yet, she later admitted she felt like a "titular figure." She had the platform, but she didn't have the power to actually make decisions.
The Divorce That Shook Geneva
By the early 90s, the "fairytale" was over. The separation was messy. It was 1995 when the divorce was finally settled, and the numbers were staggering for the time. Rumors pegged the settlement at around £20 million (about $30 million USD).
Then came the auction.
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This is the part that usually gets the most attention in jewelry circles. To fund her new life and her charity work, Princess Salimah put her personal jewelry collection up for sale at Christie’s in Geneva. We're talking about pieces from Cartier, Bulgari, and Van Cleef & Arpels.
The centerpiece? The Begum Blue.
It was a 13.78-carat deep blue diamond. The Aga Khan’s lawyers actually tried to stop the sale in court, claiming some of the jewels were "family heirlooms" and shouldn't be sold. The Swiss courts disagreed. The auction went ahead and brought in over $27 million.
Most people assume she just pocketed the cash. Nope.
Why Princess Salimah Aga Khan Actually Matters Now
If you want to know the real Salimah, you have to look at what happened after the checks cleared. She didn't buy a private island and disappear. She headed to Tahiti. Not for a tan, but because she heard about a construction project for SOS Children's Villages.
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She famously said she was tired of being a "charitable figurehead who puts on a dress and attends a fundraising ball." She wanted to get her hands dirty.
In 2000, she became the first-ever International Ambassador for SOS Children's Villages. This wasn't a "show up for five minutes" kind of gig. She’s visited villages in Cambodia, Nepal, Romania, South Africa, and beyond.
There’s a great story from her visit to the Papara village in Tahiti. She noticed they only had one minivan for 60 people. Instead of calling a board meeting or asking for a budget, she literally went to a local car dealership, paid cash for two more vans, and drove one of them back to the village herself.
That’s the "Sally" that people who actually know her talk about.
The Legacy in 2026
Today, Princess Salimah lives a relatively quiet life in Geneva, but her influence is still everywhere. Her eldest son, Prince Rahim, has taken on massive responsibilities within the Ismaili community, especially following the passing of the 4th Aga Khan.
She paved the way for a different kind of royal life. One where the title is a tool, not a cage.
She’s often quoted saying she hates the word "charity." She prefers "help" or "support." It sounds like a small distinction, but for her, it’s everything. It’s about dignity. Whether she was sitting in a mud hut in a refugee camp in Pakistan or standing in the Hercules Gallery in Paris, she seemed to have this weird ability to just... be there. Truly present.
Key Takeaways for Your Research
If you're looking into the life of Princess Salimah, keep these specific points in mind:
- The Jewelry Auction (1995): It wasn't just a sale; it was a legal battle for her independence. The $27 million raised helped establish her as a major individual philanthropist.
- SOS Children's Villages: She isn't just a donor. She’s been their International Ambassador for over two decades, focusing on the "mother" model of child care—where orphaned children are raised in family units rather than institutions.
- The Transition: She lost the style of "Her Highness" after the divorce but kept the title "Princess." It’s a nuance that matters in the world of protocol.
- Identity: She remains a respected figure within the Ismaili community, not just as the mother of the future Imam, but as a woman who spent 25 years serving that community.
Next Steps for Deepening Your Knowledge
To understand the full scope of her impact, you should look into the specific work of SOS Children’s Villages International. Specifically, research their "Family Strengthening Programs." Salimah was a vocal advocate for these because they focus on keeping biological families together before they reach the point of abandonment. You might also want to look up the archives of the 1995 Christie's Geneva "Jewels from the Personal Collection of Princess Salimah Aga Khan" catalog. It’s widely considered a textbook for 20th-century high-jewelry design and provides a tangible map of her life during the peak of the Aga Khan era.