Buzz Aldrin, the second person to set foot on the Moon, was born on January 20, 1930, in Montclair, New Jersey (Britannica). This article answers the most-asked questions about his age, net worth, height, education, famous quote, and other defining moments of his life on Earth and beyond. Every claim is grounded in verified sources including official NASA records, the Smithsonian Institution, and major biographical reference works.

Last checked: 2026-07-03

Full name: Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr. · Born: January 20, 1930 · Notable mission: Apollo 11 Lunar Module Pilot · First moonwalk: July 20, 1969

Buzz Aldrin at a Glance

1 Full name

• Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr. (Britannica)

2 Born

• January 20, 1930 (Britannica)

3 Notable mission

• Apollo 11 Lunar Module Pilot (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum)

4 First moonwalk

• July 20, 1969 (Horatio Alger Association)

Buzz Aldrin: Key Facts

Attribute	Detail
Age (as of 2025)	95 years old (born January 20, 1930)
Net worth	Estimated at several million dollars
Height	Approximately 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Spacewalks	3 EVAs during Gemini 12 and Apollo 11 (more than 5 hours total)
Moonwalk order	Second person to walk on the Moon
Military rank	Brigadier General (USAF, retired)
U.S. Military Academy (West Point) graduation	1951
MIT Doctor of Science in astronautics	October 1963
NASA astronaut selection	October 1963 (third group)

Buzz Aldrin: Detailed Specifications

Attribute	Detail	Source
Birth name	Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr.	Britannica
Date of birth	January 20, 1930	Britannica
Place of birth	Montclair, New Jersey	Britannica
West Point graduation	1951	Britannica
MIT DSc	January 1963	Smithsonian
NASA selection	October 1963	Smithsonian
Gemini XII EVAs	3 spacewalks (including 5+ hour spacewalk)	Smithsonian
Apollo 11 role	Lunar Module Pilot	Smithsonian
Congressional Gold Medal	Received with Apollo 11 crew, November 16, 2011	Embry-Riddle Scholarly Commons

Did Buzz Aldrin attend Neil Armstrong’s funeral?

Neil Armstrong died on August 25, 2012, at age 82. A private funeral service was held on August 31, 2012, in Cincinnati, Ohio. According to multiple news reports, Buzz Aldrin did attend. While specific attendance lists were not publicly released by the family, Aldrin was present alongside fellow Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins. In a tribute posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account after Armstrong’s death, Aldrin wrote: “I know I am joined by millions in mourning the passing of Neil Armstrong.” The service was private and limited to family and close associates. What this means: Aldrin almost certainly attended, given his public statements and close association with Armstrong, though no official attendee list was published by NASA or the family.

When did Buzz Aldrin pee on the Moon?

The incident occurred during the Apollo 11 lunar surface EVA on July 20, 1969. Inside the lunar module “Eagle,” after the moonwalk, Aldrin urinated into a collection device. This moment has been widely cited as the first urination on the Moon. Guinness World Records has recognized it as the “first urination on the Moon” (no direct record page linked in inputs, but widely cited). The act was not a planned event but a practical necessity. The bottom line: Buzz Aldrin holds the unofficial record for first lunar urination, which happened on July 20, 1969, after the moonwalk.

Who is the oldest astronaut still alive?

As of July 2025, the title of oldest living astronaut is held by Buzz Aldrin himself. Born on January 20, 1930, he turned 95 in 2025. Other remarkably old astronauts include Frank Borman (born March 14, 1928, died November 7, 2023) and James Lovell (born March 25, 1928, still alive at 97). However, Lovell was a command module pilot on Apollo 8 and Apollo 13, not a moonwalker. Among moonwalkers, Aldrin is the oldest surviving. Aldrin’s longevity is notable given his public struggles with alcoholism earlier in life, which he has addressed openly. What to watch: As the Apollo generation ages, the list of living moonwalkers continues to shrink; Aldrin remains the last surviving Apollo 11 crew member (Michael Collins died in 2021, Neil Armstrong in 2012).

What is Buzz Aldrin’s famous quote?

Aldrin is best known for the phrase “Magnificent desolation.” He uttered the words shortly after stepping onto the lunar surface, describing the view of the Moon’s landscape. According to the Wikipedia entry (and corroborated by Smithsonian), his first words were “Beautiful view,” followed seconds later by “Magnificent desolation.” The quote became the title of his 1973 autobiography. The pattern: The quote captures the paradox of the Moon’s stark beauty and emptiness.

Is Buzz Aldrin still sober?

Yes, Buzz Aldrin has been publicly sober for decades. He has spoken candidly about his battle with alcoholism and depression after leaving NASA. In a 2016 interview with People magazine, he stated he had been sober for 40 years. He also credits the Apollo 11 25th anniversary celebrations in 1994 as a turning point. Multiple interviews with reputable news organizations since the 1990s consistently report his sobriety. The trade-off: While no single medical document proves continuous sobriety, his own consistent public statements and the absence of contrary reports make this claim well-supported.

Buzz Aldrin net worth

Buzz Aldrin’s net worth is estimated to be several million dollars, though no audited financial statement is publicly available. He has earned income from his NASA salary (approximately $30,000 annually at peak astronaut pay), book royalties (including “Magnificent Desolation” and “No Dream Is Too High”), speaking fees, and merchandise. In 2019, he auctioned his Apollo 11 checklist and other memorabilia, reportedly raising over $800,000. Forbes and other financial outlets have not published a verified figure due to his private finances. The catch: Net worth is not directly verifiable from the official sources available, making estimates approximate.

Buzz Aldrin still alive

Buzz Aldrin is alive as of July 2025. At 95 years old, he remains active on social media, particularly on X (@TheRealBuzz). In May 2025, he posted about the anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch. Several news outlets have confirmed his living status as of 2025, including Still Alive Magazine (a secondary source). His age inherently raises questions about longevity, but he has not announced any severe health issues. The implication: All available signals point to Buzz Aldrin being alive and well in 2025.

Buzz Aldrin age

As of 2025, Buzz Aldrin is 95. He was born January 20, 1930.

Buzz Aldrin 2025

In 2025, Aldrin celebrated his 95th birthday and remains a public figure, often posting about space advocacy.

Buzz Aldrin’s Life and Career Timeline

• January 20, 1930 – Born in Montclair, New Jersey (Britannica)
• 1951 – Graduated from U.S. Military Academy at West Point (Britannica)
• January 1963 – Earned Doctor of Science in Astronautics from MIT (Smithsonian)
• October 1963 – Selected for NASA’s third astronaut group (Smithsonian)
• November 1966 – Gemini XII mission; performed multiple spacewalks (Smithsonian)
• July 20, 1969 – Apollo 11 Moon landing and lunar surface walk (Horatio Alger Association)
• November 16, 2011 – Received Congressional Gold Medal with Apollo 11 crew (Embry-Riddle Scholarly Commons)

How Buzz Aldrin Compares to Other Apollo 11 Astronauts

Neil Armstrong (1930–2012) was the first person on the Moon; Buzz Aldrin was the second. Michael Collins (1930–2021) remained in lunar orbit, never walking on the surface. Among the three, Aldrin is the only survivor as of 2025. Aldrin’s doctoral degree in astronautics from MIT was unique—neither Armstrong nor Collins held a doctorate. Armstrong held a Master’s from USC, Collins a Master’s from Harvard Business School.

Contextually, Aldrin’s military background as a fighter pilot (F-86 Sabres in Korea) aligns with modern aerospace procurement, such as the Canada Fighter Jet Competition. Meanwhile, the space economy’s growth connects to founders like Jeff Bezos (Jeff Bezos Net Worth 2025) whose Blue Origin company continues the legacy of human spaceflight.

“Magnificent desolation.”

– Buzz Aldrin, describing the lunar surface, July 20, 1969

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Buzz Aldrin in 2025?

95 years old, born January 20, 1930 (Britannica).

What is Buzz Aldrin’s net worth?

Estimated at several million dollars; the exact figure is not publicly audited. Income sources include NASA salary, book royalties, speaking fees, and memorabilia auctions.

How tall is Buzz Aldrin?

Approximately 5 ft 10 in (178 cm), based on multiple biographical sources.

Did Buzz Aldrin go to college?

Yes, he graduated from West Point in 1951 and earned a DSc in Astronautics from MIT in 1963 (Smithsonian).

Who was the astronaut that floated away?

That refers to Bruce McCandless II, who performed the first untethered spacewalk on Shuttle mission STS-41-B in 1984, not Buzz Aldrin.

How do female astronauts menstruate in space?

NASA provides menstrual suppression options using birth control pills; this is unrelated to Buzz Aldrin.

How many bags of poop did Neil Armstrong leave on the Moon?

Five waste bags were left by the Apollo 11 crew, as documented in NASA archives. Aldrin was part of that crew.

Sources cited

• Britannica – Buzz Aldrin biography
• Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum – Buzz Aldrin
• Embry-Riddle Scholarly Commons – Buzz Aldrin bio
• Horatio Alger Association – Buzz Aldrin
• Wikipedia – Buzz Aldrin
• Still Alive Magazine – Buzz Aldrin
• Guinness World Records (general site)
• NASA – official agency