Charles Simonyi

Awards & Honours

Awards Won

Honours

Rankings

Records

Charles Simonyi's achievements stand out for their breadth. He helped create the software that billions of people use daily, and he was the first private individual to fly to space twice. His technical contributions, including Hungarian notation and the WYSIWYG editor, shaped the industry. His $30 million joint donation with Bill Gates to the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope is one of the largest private gifts to astronomy. He has been recognized with national honours from Hungary and honorary degrees from two universities, reflecting his impact on both technology and education.

AwardsCharles Simonyi has received recognition primarily from the technology and scientific communities. He won the IEEE Computer Society's Computer Entrepreneur Award for his pioneering work in personal computing software. He holds the Knight's Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit and honorary doctorates from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics and Jönköping University. His philanthropic support for astronomy earned him recognition from the American Astronomical Society.

Honours & Distinctions

Knight's Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit

Government of Hungary·2007

Awarded for contributions to science and technology.

Honorary Doctorate

Budapest University of Technology and Economics·2010

Recognized for contributions to computer science.

Honorary Doctorate

Jönköping University·2012

Honorary degree for his work in technology and philanthropy.

Rankings & Lists

#300s

Forbes Billionaires List

Forbes·2025

Records & Feats

First repeat space tourist

Historic First·2009

The only person to have flown to space twice as a paying private citizen, with trips in 2007 and 2009.

Fifth space tourist

Historic First·2007

Became the fifth space tourist in history with his 2007 flight to the International Space Station.