Once known as Princess Salwa, the American model Kendra Spears has made a dazzling return to the world she once ruled, fashion. The 37-year-old made headlines in 2013 when she married Prince Rahim Aga Khan, the eldest son of the Aga Khan IV.
Upon her marriage, she converted to Islam, adopted the royal name Princess Salwa, and stepped away from the catwalk to embrace life as a royal and mother of two. But after her divorce in 2022, Kendra has reemerged, this time reclaiming her identity as a fashion icon.
After more than a decade away from the spotlight, Spears returned to the runway during Paris Fashion Week, walking for none other than Chanel. Wearing a chic beige slit skirt, a structured checkered jacket, and a soft blue top, a fresh look from Chanel’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection, Kendra slipped seamlessly back into the world that once crowned her a top model.
The show was a star-studded reunion. Penélope Cruz, Charlotte Casiraghi, Úrsula Corberó, Margot Robbie, Nicole Kidman, and Kendall Jenner were all in attendance, making the moment a triumphant homecoming for the former princess.
Kendra Spears first captivated the global media in 2013 when she wed Prince Rahim Aga Khan in a traditional Muslim ceremony by the shores of Lake Geneva. The nuptials were followed by a celebration at Château de Bellerive, marking the beginning of her life as a royal within one of the world’s most mysterious and wealthy dynasties.
As Princess Salwa Aga Khan, she had two sons. Prince Irfan, now 10, and Prince Sinan, 8. Before her royal chapter, Spears graced the pages of international fashion magazines, including Spanish publications, and walked for the most prestigious designers.
In a full-circle moment, Spears has now returned to the very industry that first launched her into the public eye. Her former husband, now known as Aga Khan V, ascended to the role on February 4, 2025, following the death of his father, Aga Khan IV, in Lisbon.
A close friend of Spain’s King Juan Carlos, the late Aga Khan was a deeply respected figure, serving as the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. With his passing, the legacy of this enigmatic dynasty, said to descend from the Prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatima and son-in-law Ali, was passed on to Rahim, making him the 50th spiritual leader of the community.
Shortly after his accession, King Charles III of the United Kingdom honored him with the title of “Highness,” underscoring the enduring ties between the British monarchy and the Aga Khan’s lineage. Now, as the former princess finds her footing again in fashion, Kendra Spears reminds the world of the quiet power of reinvention.