Buzz Aldrin

Buzz Aldrin is an American former astronaut, aeronautical engineer, and fighter pilot, best known as the second person to walk on the Moon. As the lunar module pilot of the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, he descended onto the lunar surface minutes after Neil Armstrong, and his image, captured by Armstrong with the desolate moonscape reflected in his visor, became one of the most iconic photographs ever taken. His participation in that mission secured him a permanent place in the history of human exploration.

Aldrin was no ordinary pilot turned spaceman. A decorated combat aviator in the Korean War, he earned a doctorate in astronautics, and his academic work on orbital rendezvous helped solve key technical problems essential to the success of crewed spaceflight, earning him the nickname Dr. Rendezvous among colleagues. His expertise was woven into the very techniques that made the Moon landing possible.

In the decades since, Aldrin has been an outspoken and energetic advocate for space exploration, particularly the human exploration of Mars, while also writing books and speaking candidly about his personal struggles after returning to Earth. As one of the last surviving members of the Apollo 11 crew, he remains a living link to humanity's first steps on another world.[edit]

Buzz Aldrin grew up in Montclair, New Jersey, where his father, Edwin Eugene Aldrin Sr., a career military officer and aviator, instilled in him a passion for flight. He attended Montclair High School, playing football and excelling in his studies. After graduating third in his class from West Point in 1951, he joined the U.S. Air Force and flew 66 combat missions in the Korean War, shooting down two MiG-15 aircraft. Following the war, he served as a flight instructor and then pursued a doctorate at MIT, completing his thesis on orbital rendezvous techniques in 1963. This work, which solved critical problems for docking spacecraft in orbit, earned him the nickname Dr. Rendezvous among his peers and directly contributed to the Apollo program's success.[edit]

Selected by NASA in 1963 as part of the third group of astronauts, Aldrin first flew in space on Gemini 12 in November 1966. He performed a record-breaking 5.5-hour spacewalk, proving that astronauts could work effectively outside a spacecraft, a critical milestone for the Apollo program. Three years later, as lunar module pilot for Apollo 11, he stepped onto the Moon on July 20, 1969, spending about two hours on the surface conducting experiments and deploying equipment. After retiring from NASA in 1971, he struggled with depression and alcoholism, which he later discussed publicly. He became a prominent advocate for Mars exploration, founded the ShareSpace Foundation to promote STEM education, and made cameo appearances on shows like The Big Bang Theory and Dancing with the Stars. As of 2026, he continues to speak publicly and advocate for space policy.[edit]

Buzz Aldrin is often seen in a suit or a NASA flight jacket, frequently wearing a watch as a brand ambassador for several watchmakers. His public persona is that of a pioneering hero and a living legend, though he has sometimes expressed frustration at being forever known as the second man on the Moon. He is widely respected in the space community and among history enthusiasts. On social media, he maintains a professional and educational tone, posting about space history, Mars advocacy, and his personal appearances. His core audience consists of space exploration enthusiasts and history buffs.[edit]

Buzz Aldrin, the second human to walk on the Moon, has been evaluated by iFANN's Global Fame Engine but does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings, neither in the Global Top 1,000 nor in any Top-100 scope list. His fame, however, is of a singular and enduring kind: a living symbol of humanity's first steps beyond Earth, whose name and image are instantly recognized across generations and continents.

His fanbase, though vast and global, has no formal name. Admirers typically call themselves space enthusiasts, Apollo 11 admirers, or supporters of his Mars advocacy. They gather not in structured clubs but through social media, where Aldrin actively engages, and around institutions like the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. His advocacy for a 'Cycling Paths to Reach Mars' has given his audience a policy-oriented dimension, amplifying his vision for interplanetary travel.

While no organized fan campaigns exist in the traditional sense, his personal artifacts have drawn intense interest: a felt-tip pen that saved Apollo 11 sold at auction for approximately $780,000–$850,000, and in July 2026 he announced the auction of 24 personal watches, including Omega Speedmasters, attracting collectors and space enthusiasts alike. The ticker tape parades of 1969, with millions lining the streets of New York and Chicago, remain the ultimate expressions of public adulation for the Apollo 11 crew.[edit]

Buzz Aldrin was the first person to take a communion wafer to the Moon, privately celebrating the Eucharist on the lunar surface without broadcasting it. He legally changed his first name from Edwin to Buzz in 1988. He has a tattoo of the Apollo 11 mission insignia on his chest. In 2012, he was punched by a conspiracy theorist outside a Beverly Hills hotel. He once joked that he was the first person to have a drink on the Moon, referring to his private communion.

One of the most famous legends from Apollo 11 is the felt-tip pen incident. A circuit breaker switch in the lunar module's ascent stage was broken, likely bumped by Aldrin's bulky spacesuit backpack, which meant the engine could not be armed for the return to lunar orbit. Aldrin saved the mission by using a felt-tip pen to depress the broken switch, allowing the ascent engine to fire. The pen later sold at auction for approximately $780,000–$850,000, becoming a symbol of his quick thinking under pressure.

Following the successful mission, Aldrin and his crewmates were honored with massive ticker tape parades in New York City on August 13, 1969, and in Chicago, drawing crowds estimated in the millions. These parades remain iconic moments of public celebration, often the first stories told about the cultural impact of the Moon landing.[edit]

Buzz Aldrin was born to Edwin Eugene Aldrin Sr., a career military officer and aviator, and Marion Moon, the daughter of an Army chaplain. His nickname Buzz originated from his younger sister, who mispronounced brother as buzzer. He has three children from his first marriage to Joan Ann Archer: James (born 1956), Janice (born 1958), and Andrew (born 1961). He currently resides in Florida with his wife, Anca Faur. He has spoken about the strain his space career placed on his family life.[edit]

Buzz Aldrin is most closely associated with his Apollo 11 crewmates Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins. He also flew with James Lovell on Gemini 12 and has worked alongside fellow astronauts Gene Cernan and William Anders. His academic mentor at MIT was instrumental in his orbital rendezvous work.[edit]

Buzz Aldrin married Joan Ann Archer on December 29, 1954; they had three children before divorcing in 1974, largely due to his struggles with depression and alcoholism. He then married Beverly Van Zile in 1975, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1978. In 1988, he married Lois Driggs Cannon, a former model and businesswoman; they divorced in 2012. On his 93rd birthday in January 2023, Aldrin announced his marriage to Dr. Anca Faur, a 63-year-old business executive and former vice president of Buzz Aldrin Enterprises. As of 2026, he remains married to Faur.[edit]

iFANN currently estimates Buzz Aldrin's net worth at $12 million. His primary income sources include speaking fees, which reportedly range from $50,000 to $100,000 per appearance, book royalties from titles such as Return to Earth, Men from Earth, and Magnificent Desolation, and licensing fees for his name and image. He also earns money from cameo appearances in films and TV shows, and receives a small pension from NASA and the U.S. Air Force. He does not own significant publicly reported real estate beyond a primary residence in Florida.[edit]

Buzz Aldrin has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. He was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame, the International Space Hall of Fame, and the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame. He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[edit]