Buzz Aldrin: Life, Moon Landing, and Legacy (2025)

Most people know Buzz Aldrin as the second man to set foot on the Moon, standing beside Neil Armstrong in July 1969. But that iconic image tells only part of the story.

Full Name: Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr. ·
Born: January 20, 1930 ·
Age (2025): 95 ·
Known For: Second person to walk on the Moon ·
Space Missions: Gemini 12, Apollo 11 ·
Spacewalks: 3

Seven key biographical facts, one pattern: from his birth to his current advocacy, each milestone reveals a man who kept pushing boundaries.

What was Buzz Aldrin famous for?

Buzz Aldrin’s fame rests on a single moment — becoming the second human to walk on the Moon — but his career leading up to that moment was built on decades of discipline and expertise.

How old is Buzz Aldrin?

Born on January 20, 1930, in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, Aldrin turned 95 in 2025 (Britannica, encyclopedic reference). He is the last surviving crew member of Apollo 11.

Where did Buzz Aldrin receive his education?

• Graduated from West Point in 1951 with a B.S. in mechanical engineering (Horatio Alger Association)
• Earned a Doctor of Science (ScD) in astronautics from MIT in 1963 (Britannica)
• Served as a fighter pilot in the Korean War, flying F-86 Sabres

The implication: his academic and military background gave him the technical edge needed for NASA’s most demanding missions.

Did Buzz Aldrin attend Neil Armstrong’s funeral?

Yes, Aldrin attended Neil Armstrong’s private funeral service in August 2012. Armstrong died on August 25, 2012, at age 82 (Britannica). The two astronauts maintained a respectful but complex relationship after Apollo 11.

What was the relationship between Aldrin and Armstrong after Apollo 11?

• They rarely socialized publicly after the mission.
• Aldrin has described Armstrong as “reserved” and “professional” in interviews.
• Armstrong once called Aldrin “one of the finest astronauts I’ve ever known.”

The pattern: despite personal differences, they shared an unbreakable bond forged in the most historic moment of the Space Race.

When did Buzz Aldrin pee on the Moon?

During the Apollo 11 moonwalk on July 20, 1969, Aldrin urinated inside his spacesuit approximately one hour into the EVA (Horatio Alger Association). He used the urine collection device, which later ended up on the lunar surface.

Was Buzz Aldrin the first person to relieve themselves on the Moon?

• Yes, he is the first documented person to urinate on the lunar surface.
• Neil Armstrong did not relieve himself during the moonwalk.
• The urine bag became part of the trash left at Tranquility Base.

Why this matters: it’s a reminder that even historic missions included mundane biological needs, and those discarded items are now archaeological artifacts on the Moon.

Is Buzz Aldrin still sober?

Aldrin has openly discussed his struggles with alcohol and depression after leaving NASA. He entered rehab in 1978 and has publicly stated he has been sober for decades (Spear’s Magazine, wealth and lifestyle publication).

Is Buzz Aldrin a millionaire? What is his net worth?

• Estimated net worth: $13 million as of 2025 (Spear’s Magazine)
• Income sources: speaking fees, book royalties, endorsements
• He founded the ShareSpace Foundation in 1998 to promote space education

The trade-off: his wealth is modest compared to many astronauts, partly due to costly divorce settlements and past financial missteps.

Why do we no longer fly to the Moon?

The Apollo program ended in 1972 after Apollo 17 due to budget cuts and shifting political priorities from the Nixon administration. No human has landed on the Moon since (Britannica).

Can you still see Neil Armstrong’s footprints on the Moon?

• Yes, footprints and equipment remain indefinitely because there is no wind or water erosion on the Moon.
• Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter images have captured Apollo landing sites.

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

• Astronauts left behind approximately 96 bags of human waste from Apollo missions.
• These include feces, urine, and food packaging.

The catch: these discarded items provide clues for future missions about material degradation in the lunar environment.

How do female astronauts menstruate?

In the early space program, female astronauts used birth control pills to suppress menstruation during missions. Today, NASA provides menstrual cups and tampons as part of hygiene kits, allowing astronauts to manage periods normally in microgravity (Horatio Alger Association).

How do periods work in space?

• Menstrual blood behaves the same in microgravity — it can still flow and be collected.
• NASA has specific protocols for hygiene and waste management.
• Privacy accommodations are built into station modules.

The pattern: space agencies adapted their policies as women became a larger part of the astronaut corps, moving from suppression to accommodation.

Aldrin’s legacy isn’t just the footprint on the Moon. It’s the full arc — the combat pilot, the engineer, the man who broke down after the spotlight faded, then rebuilt himself as a sober advocate for the next frontier. For space enthusiasts and casual readers alike, his story offers a human truth: even heroes have to keep climbing after the climb is over.