The Aga Khan and his wife the Begum Inaara are to divorce. The estranged couple, who have been separated for over a year, have a four-year-old son, Prince Aly Muhammad.
Their decision comes after six years of marriage. When the pair made their vows at the Aga Khan's racing complex outside Paris in 1998, the German-born beauty was introduced to a world of wealth and power. Her husband, who is the spiritual leader of the world's 12 million Ismaili Muslims, is estimated to be worth £6 billion. In order to become his wife the pretty blonde converted to the Islamic faith and changed her name from Gabriele zu Leiningen to the Begum Inaara.
But their relationship deteriorated over time and the two separated a little over a year ago. The Begum, who is now living in Berkshire, is expected to seek a divorce settlement in London's High Court. She is being represented by one of the UK's most respected lawyers, Maggie Rae, who also handled Princess Diana's split from the Prince of Wales.
It is not the first time the Aga Khan has found himself facing an expensive divorce.
Nine years ago he broke up with his wife of 25 years, former model Sally Crocker-Poole, in a deal which cost £50 million. His current wife has also been previously married, to German Prince Karl-Emich zu Leiningen. |
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