Buzz Aldrin Net Worth

Buzz Aldrin, the celebrated American astronaut, engineer, and retired fighter pilot, boasts a net worth of $12 million. As one of the first two humans to set foot on the Moon during the historic Apollo 11 mission in 1969, Aldrin’s place in history is undeniable. Beyond his trailblazing space career, his life story spans decades of military service, public advocacy, academic achievement, and entrepreneurial efforts.

Early Life

Born Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr. on January 20, 1930, in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, Aldrin was raised in a family steeped in aviation—his father was a World War I aviator and executive at Standard Oil. Nicknamed “Buzz” by his sister (who mispronounced “brother” as “buzzer”), Aldrin later made the moniker his legal first name in 1988.

After excelling at Montclair High School, he chose to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating third in his class in 1951 with a degree in mechanical engineering.

Military Service

Aldrin’s military career began with his commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He quickly distinguished himself as a combat pilot during the Korean War, flying 66 combat missions and shooting down two MiG-15s. He earned multiple commendations, including two Distinguished Flying Crosses and three Air Medals.

Following the war, he served as an aerial gunnery instructor and spent several years flying F-100 Super Sabres in West Germany. He later earned a Doctor of Science degree in astronautics from MIT, becoming the first astronaut with a doctorate when he joined NASA.

NASA Career

Aldrin joined NASA’s Astronaut Group 3 in 1963 and flew his first mission aboard Gemini 12 in 1966, where he completed over five hours of spacewalks. But it was in 1969, during Apollo 11, that Aldrin made history. Serving as the Lunar Module Pilot, he followed Neil Armstrong onto the lunar surface, becoming the second human to walk on the Moon. His poetic description—“Beautiful view. Magnificent desolation.”—captured the profound isolation and wonder of space.

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Following the Moon landing, Aldrin and the crew were awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and received international acclaim.

Post-NASA Career

Aldrin retired from NASA in 1971 and became Commandant of the USAF Aerospace Research Pilot School. His post-NASA years were marked by both professional achievement and personal battles, including depression and alcoholism, challenges he later spoke about publicly. Despite these struggles, Aldrin remained a committed advocate for space exploration.

He became involved in academia at the University of North Dakota, contributed to space shuttle development, and founded the ShareSpace Foundation in 1998 to promote STEAM education. In 2015, he unveiled a vision for a manned mission to Mars, urging NASA to colonize the planet by 2040.

Personal Life

Buzz Aldrin has been married four times and has three children. His residences have spanned California and Florida, including Beverly Hills and Laguna Beach. In 1998, he purchased a luxury condo in Westwood, Los Angeles, for $1.34 million, which he later sold in 2014 for $2.857 million.

Honors and Recognition

Aldrin’s contributions have been recognized with an array of prestigious awards:

• NASA Distinguished Service Medal
• Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
• Legion of Merit
• Collier Trophy
• Inductions into the International Space Hall of Fame, U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, and National Aviation Hall of Fame

He also holds numerous honorary degrees and global accolades, including the Langley Gold Medal, the Harmon Trophy, and the General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award.

Buzz Aldrin Net Worth

Buzz Aldrin net worth is $12 million.