Princess Yasmin Aga Khan Reflects On Over 40 Years Of Advocacy For Alzheimer's Awareness Ahead Of Rita Hayworth Gala

When ’40s and ’50s screen star Rita Hayworth was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, her daughter Princess Yasmin Aga Khan was inspired to act, speaking out to raise awareness and eventually establishing the Rita Hayworth Gala in her memory in 1984. Now serving as the Honorary Vice Chair of the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org), Aga Khan continues her work today, as the New York and Chicago galas have raised nearly $90 million for the cause. As Aga Khan prepares for the upcoming Chicago gala, she sat down with Datebook to chat about the exciting advances in Alzheimer’s research and what keeps her inspired to fight for awareness more than 40 years later. The Alzheimer’s Association’s Rita Hayworth Gala takes place on May 10, The Old Post Office, 433 W. Van Buren St., alz.org/chicagogala

“Working with the Alzheimer’s Assocation has been my life’s work,” says Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, who has helped raise nearly $90 million for the cause via the Rita Hayworth galas.

How have the advances in Alzheimer’s treatment changed your perspective toward your activism?

Right now is a very exciting time in the field of Alzheimer’s and dementia research. For the first time, there are treatments on the market that treat the underlying biology of Alzheimer’s, slowing the progression of the disease, and allowing families more time with their loved ones. While these drugs aren’t cures, they are a major step in advancing the state of Alzheimer’s treatment. This progress is what we’ve worked so hard for over the years, but until we achieve our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia, we have much more work to do, and I know I won’t stop until we get there.

Why do you think the Rita Hayworth gala has been such a resounding success?

The passion of people who have experienced this disease firsthand is what fuels the success we’ve made with the Rita Hayworth galas. Alzheimer’s is a very isolating disease for both the person living with it and their caregivers. There was, and still is, a worldwide stigma surrounding this disease. It’s why I spoke publicly about my mother’s diagnosis, as I knew what it was like to care for someone living with Alzheimer’s and how isolating that is.

Doing so united me with people who share a common experience—people who know exactly what you’re going through. The Rita Hayworth Galas became a place for people to come together over our common experiences. This disease takes a lot from us, so we try to create an evening of joy and hope through the Rita Hayworth Gala. I love that at the end of the night we are able to let loose on the dance floor and celebrate how far we’ve come. Dancing brings joy to people, and obviously, my mother knew that well so there’s no better way to honor her legacy.

What do you enjoy most about the work you have put in for Alzheimer’s?

It’s hard sometimes not to get frustrated that we aren’t further along; however, when I look back on how far we’ve come since the first Rita Hayworth Gala in New York in 1984, I am in awe of what we’ve accomplished in the past 40 years. Working with the Alzheimer’s Association has been my life’s work. I work year-round with them to raise critical funds and awareness. I have an overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude to each and every person who has supported me, the Association and this event over the years. I hope they share that same sense of accomplishment because it is something to be proud of and to celebrate.

What are you most excited about as we look ahead to 2025?

I am, of course, looking forward to coming back to Chicago for the Rita Hayworth Gala on May 10 at the Old Post Office. As a whole, I’m excited to continue to see more exciting progress in Alzheimer’s and dementia research. With every new development, there is hope for the future and help to break the stigma around this disease. I hope that sharing my mother’s diagnosis has helped people feel less alone in their own experience with this disease. That is why I will continue talking about Alzheimer’s—to break down that stigma so that others don’t have to feel as isolated as I once felt.

“This disease takes a lot from us, so we try to create an evening of joy and hope through the Rita Hayworth Gala.”–PRINCESS YASMIN AGA KHAN