Today marks the 25th Anniversary of theDeath of Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan, who passed away on this day in 2000! The former Miss France who became the fourth wife of the Aga Khan and a beloved philanthropist in her decades-long widowhood, the Begum possessed a spectacular Jewellery Collection, which included this Diamond Bracelet Tiara!
A magnificent Diamond Bracelet composed of two rows of cushion-cut diamonds with a row of baguette diamonds, the exact maker of this bracelet is unknown but it was likely acquired by Aga Khan III from a leading French Jeweller like Cartier or Van Cleef & Arpels.
Begum Aga Khan notably wore the Diamond Bracelet as a Tiara for a portrait taken in the mid- to late-1940s, shortly after her marriage to the Aga Khan III in 1944, along with a striking Diamond Necklace.
Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan was photographed wearing the Diamond Bracelet in numerous portraits and also for society events and galas.
In 1949, the Begum and Aga Khan had left their Villa in Cannes on the way to the Airport in Nice when they were robbed by armed bandits who took jewellery valued between $450,000 and $800,000, images of which were released. Reportedly, the Aga Khan called after the bandits following the robbery, saying:
“Here you are, gentlemen. You have forgotten something,” and handed them a tip.
While the robbers were found and sentenced and some of the jewels were recovered, the Begum never wore them again and instead wore several magnificent new Jewels over the next 50 years. After the Begum Aga Khan passed way in 2000, as per her wishes, she willed that all her estate to be donated to the Aga Khan Foundation, the Bellerive Foundation, and her own Om Habibeh Foundation. The lots were auctioned at Sotheby’s in Geneva in November 2000 and included her Diamond Necklace, Pearl and Diamond Fringe Necklace, and Bulgari Turquoise Necklace.
Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan’s Diamond Necklace
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