Princess Zahra Aga Khan is making headlines after receiving the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (EGH) from President William Ruto. One of Kenya’s highest civilian honours, the accolade recognises her decades-long influence on the country’s health, education, and socioeconomic landscape through initiatives led by the Aga Khan Development Network.  

For more than 30 years, Princess Zahra has steered hospitals, universities, cultural restoration projects, and community development programmes across Africa and Asia. She is a trustee of Aga Khan University. She sits on the boards of the Aga Khan Foundation and Aga Khan Trust for Culture, shaping institutions that operate in some of the world’s most challenging development contexts.  

The EGH recognises her role in advancing medical training, tertiary education, and cultural infrastructure in Kenya, reinforcing her reputation as a leader who prioritises long-term impact over visibility. Known for her low-profile yet decisive governance style, Princess Zahra combines strategic oversight with hands-on leadership, ensuring AKDN projects achieve sustainable, inclusive outcomes.  

 Educated at Institut Le Rosey and Harvard University, she carries forward a multigenerational legacy of pluralism, service, and global development – earning respect and admiration from leaders, communities, and institutions alike.