She wasn't born into royalty. Far from it. Sarah Frances Croker-Poole was an English fashion model with a sharp gaze and a presence that commanded the lens long before she became Begum Salimah Aga Khan. Most people look at the photos from the sixties and seventies and see a woman draped in the finest saris and some of the world's most breathtaking emeralds, but that's just the surface stuff. Honestly, her story is less about the glitz and more about a very deliberate, often quiet, transition from the high-fashion runways of London to the global humanitarian stage. It’s a transformation that actually stuck.
She was the first wife of the Aga Khan IV. That title alone carries a weight most of us can't really wrap our heads around. We’re talking about the spiritual leader of millions of Nizari Ismaili Muslims. When they married in 1969, it wasn't just a celebrity wedding; it was a cultural merger. She converted to Islam, took the name Salimah, and basically disappeared into a world of immense responsibility and intense private scrutiny.
The Making of Begum Salimah Aga Khan
Before the titles, she was a top-tier model. Think back to the mid-1960s. The London fashion scene was exploding. Sarah Croker-Poole was right in the thick of it, working for major houses and appearing in the glossy pages that defined the era. She had this sophisticated, almost architectural beauty. It wasn't just about being pretty. It was about poise. That poise served her well when she married His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan.
The wedding was a two-stage affair—a civil ceremony in Paris followed by a religious one. Overnight, the girl from New Delhi (where she was born) and the UK became a central figure for a global community. She didn’t just sit in a palace. She actually got to work. During her twenty-five years of marriage, she was deeply involved in the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). This isn't some small-time charity. It’s one of the largest private development networks in the world. She spent years visiting rural villages in Asia and Africa, focusing on welfare programs that actually changed lives. It's funny how people forget that part. They remember the jewelry, but they forget the dusty roads in Pakistan or the health clinics in East Africa.
Life After the Palace
Divorce in a royal or semi-royal context is always messy, but the 1995 split between the Aga Khan and Salimah was particularly high-profile. It took years to settle. When the dust finally cleared, she walked away with a settlement that the press at the time speculated was around £20 million, though the exact figures are usually kept behind closed doors.
But here’s where it gets interesting.
Instead of just fading into a quiet retirement in Geneva or London, she did something that caught the world's attention. She auctioned off her jewelry. This wasn't just a few rings. It was the "Jewels from the Collection of the Begum Salimah Aga Khan" auction at Christie's in Geneva. We are talking about the Begum Blue diamond—a 13.78-carat deep blue heart-shaped stone. The total sale raked in over $27 million.
People thought she was just cashing out. They were wrong.
She used a significant portion of those proceeds to jumpstart the SOS-Kinderdorf International (SOS Children's Villages). She became a massive advocate for children’s rights. It’s a classic example of taking the remnants of a past life and literalizing them into a future for others. She didn't need the diamonds to maintain her status; she used them to build schools and homes. That says a lot about her character.
The Humanitarian Legacy and SOS Children's Villages
If you look at the work SOS Children's Villages does, it's clear why she felt a pull toward it. They don't just build orphanages; they build families. Begum Salimah Aga Khan became an International Ambassador for the organization. This wasn't a "show up for a ribbon cutting" kind of role. She’s been known to travel to some of the most distressed regions on earth to check on these projects.
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- Refugee support: She has been vocal about the displacement of children due to conflict.
- Education: Focus on long-term schooling rather than just temporary aid.
- Maternal Health: Understanding that a child's welfare is tied directly to the mother's health.
She’s always been pragmatic. You hear her speak in interviews—on the rare occasions she gives them—and she’s very matter-of-fact. She knows her name opens doors. She knows the "Begum" title, though she’s technically the "former" Begum, carries a specific prestige that she can leverage for funding. She’s been very smart about it.
Why the Public is Still Obsessed
Maybe it’s the mystery. Unlike the modern influencers who post every meal on Instagram, Salimah Aga Khan remains largely private. She represents an older style of fame—one built on actual presence and public service rather than "content."
Then there’s the style. Designers still reference her look from the seventies. The way she wore traditional South Asian garments with a European sensibility was revolutionary at the time. She wasn't playing dress-up; she was honoring her role while maintaining her identity. It was a delicate balance that few people pull off without looking like they’re trying too hard.
Addressing the Common Misconceptions
A lot of people think she was just a "socialite." That word gets thrown around way too much. A socialite goes to parties to be seen. Salimah Aga Khan went to events to raise money for child vaccinations. There's a massive difference.
Another misconception? That her life was all "Cinderella" vibes. Marrying into the Aga Khan's family means entering a world of immense religious and political complexity. You aren't just a wife; you're a symbol. That kind of pressure is immense. The divorce wasn't just a personal failing; it was a public earthquake. Handling that with the grace she did—remaining on good terms with her children (Zahra, Rahim, and Hussain) and continuing her charity work—is actually pretty impressive.
Her Children and the Future
Her children have all taken up significant roles within the Ismaili community and the AKDN. Princess Zahra, in particular, works closely on health and education initiatives. You can see her mother’s influence in how she approaches these problems. It’s a very hands-on, data-driven style of philanthropy.
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- Princess Zahra Aga Khan: Focuses on policy and technical support for health and education.
- Prince Rahim Aga Khan: Works on economic development and environmental issues.
- Prince Hussain Aga Khan: Deeply involved in cultural and environmental preservation.
They’ve stayed out of the tabloid fray, which is a testament to the upbringing Salimah provided in the midst of a very public divorce.
The Reality of Royal Philanthropy
Let’s be real for a second. Philanthropy at this level is often criticized as being a PR move. But with Begum Salimah Aga Khan, the longevity of her commitment makes that argument fall flat. She’s been at this for decades. When she visits a village, she’s not there with a massive camera crew and a glam squad. She’s there to talk to the workers.
The SOS Children’s Villages in places like Cambodia or Nepal aren't just names on a list to her. She actually knows the specific challenges these locations face—whether it’s clean water access or local government corruption. That level of granular knowledge only comes from actually doing the work.
Looking Back at the Christie’s Auction
That 1995 auction remains a landmark moment in jewelry history. It wasn't just about the "Begum Blue." There was a Boucheron necklace, Van Cleef & Arpels sets, and pieces that were essentially museum-quality. While collectors were fighting over the carats, the underlying story was the transition of wealth.
Most people in her position would have locked those jewels in a vault or fought to keep them as a safety net. Selling them was a public declaration of independence. It was her saying, "I am more than the things I was given." It’s a powerful move that often gets lost in the "top 10 most expensive jewelry" listicles.
Lessons from a Life in the Public Eye
What can we actually learn from Salimah Aga Khan's journey? Honestly, quite a bit about personal branding—before that was even a term—and resilience.
- Control your narrative: She never got dragged into public spats. She let her work speak for her.
- Leverage your assets: Use your platform, your history, and even your "stuff" to create a tangible impact.
- Consistency is key: You don't become a respected humanitarian overnight. It takes thirty years of showing up.
- Privacy is a luxury: In an age of oversharing, keeping some things for yourself is a power move.
What’s She Doing Now?
These days, she lives a relatively quiet life, mostly in Switzerland. She’s still involved with her causes, though she’s stepped back from the grueling travel schedules of her younger years. She’s a grandmother now, and by all accounts, very close with her family.
She remains a style icon, though she probably hates the term. You’ll still see her at the occasional high-profile event, looking just as elegant as she did in 1970, usually wearing something that proves true style doesn't have an expiration date.
Actionable Takeaways for Following Her Work
If you’re interested in the causes she’s championed or want to understand the impact of her legacy, don't just look at old Vogue archives.
Check out the SOS Children's Villages annual reports. See how the funding from high-profile donors—inspired by people like the Begum—actually gets allocated. It’s a masterclass in how non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operate on a global scale.
Also, look into the Aga Khan Development Network's current projects. Even though she is no longer married to the Aga Khan, the foundations she helped strengthen during her time as Begum are still the backbone of much of their social welfare work.
Finally, study the 1995 Christie's catalog if you can find a copy. It's a fascinating look at the intersection of history, art, and philanthropy. It shows that even the most "material" objects can be repurposed for a much higher, more human purpose.
She’s a reminder that you can be a model, a princess, a divorcee, and a philanthropist all at once—and you can do it without losing your soul in the process.
Key Facts to Remember:
- Born Sarah Frances Croker-Poole in 1940.
- Married the Aga Khan IV in 1969; divorced in 1995.
- The "Begum Blue" diamond auction raised millions for charity.
- Long-time ambassador for SOS Children's Villages.
- Mother to three children who continue her humanitarian legacy.