Childhood and Education Journey of George Soros in Timeline
How education and upbringing influenced the life of George Soros. A timeline of key moments.
George Soros is a Hungarian-American investor and philanthropist with a net worth of $7.2 billion as of May 2025. He is renowned for his significant philanthropic contributions, having donated over $32 billion to the Open Society Foundations, with $15 billion already distributed. These donations represent 64% of his original fortune. In 2020, Forbes recognized Soros as the "most generous giver" based on the percentage of his net worth donated.
January 3, 1934: Annaliese Witschak's birth
On January 3, 1934, Annaliese Witschak, who would later become George Soros's first wife, was born.
1960: Marriage to Annaliese Witschak
In 1960, George Soros married Annaliese Witschak, an ethnic German immigrant and war orphan, who was well-regarded by his parents.
1980: Honorary Degree from Oxford
In 1980, George Soros received an honorary doctoral degree from the University of Oxford.
1983: Divorce from Annaliese Witschak
In 1983, George Soros divorced his first wife, Annaliese Witschak, after being married for 23 years and having three children together.
1983: Marriage to Susan Weber
In 1983, George Soros married Susan Weber. This was his second marriage.
1984: Soros played a role in the transition from communism to democracy in Hungary
In 1984, George Soros played a role in the peaceful transition from communism to democracy in Hungary and provided a substantial endowment to Central European University in Budapest.
1988: Advice to the "No" Campaign in Chile
In 1988, George Soros advised the "No" campaign in the Chilean plebiscite, providing studies and data that proved crucial for the campaign's strategy and victory. His support was instrumental in preparing the successful television program that contributed to the plebiscite's outcome.
1991: Honorary Degree from Yale University
In 1991, George Soros received a Doctor of Humane Letters, an honorary degree, from Yale University.
1994: Offer to help mother commit suicide and Endorsement of Oregon Death with Dignity Act
In 1994, George Soros delivered a speech where he mentioned offering to help his mother, a member of the Hemlock Society, commit suicide. In the same speech, he endorsed the Oregon Death with Dignity Act and helped fund its advertising campaign.
1995: Honorary Degree from the University of Bologna
In 1995, George Soros received an honorary laurea degree in economics from the University of Bologna.
1998: Soros's Advice to Son on Jewish Identity and Israel
In 1998, after his son Alexander's bar mitzvah, George Soros advised him to consider immigrating to Israel if he was serious about being Jewish.
1998: Statement on Religious Beliefs
In a 1998 interview with CBS News, George Soros stated that he was not religious and does not believe in God.
2000: Improving Ricardo Lagos' Image
In 2000, George Soros worked to enhance the image of Ricardo Lagos, a presidential candidate, among business circles, likely aiming to garner support for Lagos's election.
September 2002: OSI donates to Defense Committee of Lynne Stewart
In September 2002, the Open Society Institute gave $20,000 to the Defense Committee of Lynne Stewart. An OSI spokeswoman claimed there was a right-to-counsel issue worthy of their support.
November 11, 2003: Focus on Removing President Bush from Office
On November 11, 2003, George Soros stated that removing President George W. Bush from office was his "central focus" and "a matter of life and death." He expressed willingness to sacrifice his entire fortune to defeat Bush. Soros then donated $3 million to the Center for American Progress, $2.5 million to MoveOn.org, and $20 million to America Coming Together to support Democrats in the 2004 election.
2003: Soros's Philanthropic Funding
As of 2003, George Soros had given away a total of $4 billion toward efforts to promote non-violent democratization in the post-communist states, primarily through the Open Society Foundations.
2003: Activity of The Project on Death in America
From 1994 to 2003, The Project on Death in America was active as one of the Open Society Institute's projects, which sought to "understand and transform the culture and experience of dying and bereavement".
2003: Remarks on Anti-Semitism at Jewish Funders Network Conference
In 2003, during a conference of the Jewish Funders Network, George Soros suggested that policies of the Bush and Sharon administrations, along with unintended consequences of his own actions, were contributing to a new European anti-Semitism. His comments sparked controversy and criticism, with some accusing him of blaming the victim.
2003: Volcker's foreword in Soros's book
In 2003, former Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker wrote in the foreword of George Soros's book The Alchemy of Finance:
September 28, 2004: Speech and Campaign Kickoff
On September 28, 2004, George Soros dedicated additional funds to the campaign against President Bush and initiated a multistate tour. He delivered a speech titled "Why We Must Not Re-elect President Bush" at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. His site became highly trafficked after Dick Cheney mistakenly referred to FactCheck.org as 'factcheck.com'.
2005: Divorce from Susan Weber
In 2005, George Soros divorced Susan Weber, his second wife, after being married for 22 years and having two children together.
September 2006: Soros pledges $50 million to Millennium Promise
In September 2006, George Soros pledged $50 million to the Millennium Promise to provide educational, agricultural, and medical aid to villages in Africa enduring poverty.
2006: Soros discusses US role in world order
In 2006, George Soros stated that the United States, by declaring a 'war on terror' after September 11, had set the wrong agenda for the world and is the main obstacle to a stable and just world order.
2007: Soros donates to projects
In 2007, Time magazine cited two specific projects - $100 million toward Internet infrastructure for regional Russian universities, and $50 million for the Millennium Promise to eradicate extreme poverty in Africa - noting that George Soros had given $742 million to projects in the U.S., and given away a total of more than $7 billion.
2008: Funding Drug Policy Reform Efforts
In 2008, George Soros donated $400,000 to support the Massachusetts Sensible Marijuana Policy Initiative, which successfully decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana. He also funded similar initiatives in other states and supported drug decriminalization groups like the Lindesmith Center and Drug Policy Foundation. Additionally, Soros donated $1.4 million to support California's Proposition 5, a ballot measure aimed at expanding drug rehabilitation programs, which ultimately failed.
2008: Meeting Tamiko Bolton
In 2008, George Soros met Tamiko Bolton, whom he would later marry.
February 2009: Assessment of the World Financial System
In February 2009, George Soros stated that the world financial system had effectively disintegrated and was on life support with no imminent resolution to the crisis in sight.
October 2009: Remarks on Marijuana and Funding Drug Policy Alliance
In October 2009, George Soros stated in an interview his opinion that marijuana is less addictive but not suitable for children. He also revealed that he has not used marijuana for years. Additionally, he has been a major financial backer of the Drug Policy Alliance, contributing around $5 million annually through one of his foundations.
October 2010: Donation to Support Proposition 19 in California
In October 2010, George Soros donated $1 million to support California's Proposition 19, which aimed to legalize marijuana in the state.
2010: Soros expresses concern about China's power
In 2010, George Soros expressed concern about the growth of Chinese economic and political power and compared China's government to the US government.
May 2011: Soros donates to Bard College
In May 2011, George Soros donated $60 million to Bard College, establishing the Bard College Center for Civic Engagement.
October 2011: Soros calls for stronger EU economic government
In October 2011, George Soros drafted an open letter with other European leaders calling for a stronger economic government for Europe using federal means, warning against nationalistic solutions to the Great Recession.
June 15, 2013: Death of Paul Soros
On June 15, 2013, Paul Soros, George Soros' older brother, who was a private investor and philanthropist, passed away.
September 21, 2013: Marriage to Tamiko Bolton
On September 21, 2013, George Soros married Tamiko Bolton.
January 2015: Soros calls for bailout money for Ukraine
In January 2015, George Soros called on the European Union to give $50 billion of bailout money to Ukraine.
July 2015: Soros states Putin's annexation of Crimea challenged world order
In July 2015, George Soros stated that Putin's annexation of Crimea was a challenge to the prevailing world order and hypothesized that Putin wants to destabilize Ukraine.
July 2015: Soros discusses US-China relations
In July 2015, George Soros stated that a strategic partnership between the US and China could prevent the evolution of two power blocks that may be drawn into military conflict.
October 2015: Soros criticizes Orbán's handling of migrant crisis
In October 2015, George Soros criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's handling of the 2015 European migrant crisis, contrasting Orbán's focus on protecting national borders with his own plan to protect refugees.
November 2015: Russia bans Soros's charities
In November 2015, Russia banned the Open Society Foundations (OSF) and the Open Society Institute (OSI), two pro-democracy charities founded by George Soros, stating they posed a threat to the foundations of the constitutional system of the Russian Federation and the security of the state.
December 2015: Russian intergovernmental letter states Soros's charities were forming a perverted perception of history
In December 2015, a Russian intergovernmental letter stated that George Soros's charities were 'forming a perverted perception of history and making ideological directives, alien to Russian ideology, popular'.
January 2016: Books related to Soros' program withdrawn in Russia
In January 2016, 53 books related to George Soros's "Renewal of Humanitarian Education" program were withdrawn and seized in Russia. A Russian intergovernmental letter stated that Soros's charities were forming a perverted perception of history.
January 2016: Prediction of Financial Crisis at Sri Lanka Economic Forum
In January 2016, at an economic forum in Sri Lanka, George Soros predicted a financial crisis similar to the 2008 financial crisis, based on the condition of the global currency, stock, and commodity markets, as well as the weakening Chinese yuan.
2016: Views on Israel and Funding of Critical NGOs
In 2016, George Soros stated that while he doesn't deny Jews the right to a national existence, he doesn't want to be part of it. Leaked emails revealed his Open Society Foundation's objective to challenge Israel's policies and support NGOs critical of Israel, including those promoting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.
July 2017: Hungarian Billboard Campaign Vilifying Soros
In July 2017, a billboard campaign in Hungary, backed by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, vilified George Soros as an enemy of the state with the slogan "Let's not allow Soros to have the last laugh". The campaign was widely criticized as anti-Semitic, evoking historical parallels to Nazi propaganda.
October 17, 2017: Soros transfers $18 billion to Open Society Foundations
On October 17, 2017, George Soros transferred $18 billion to the Open Society Foundations.
2017: $10-Million Lawsuit Filed by Beny Steinmetz
In 2017, Beny Steinmetz filed a $10 million lawsuit against George Soros, alleging that Soros influenced the government of Guinea to freeze Steinmetz's company BSG Resources out of iron ore mining contracts, citing animus toward Israel. Soros dismissed the suit as frivolous and a PR stunt.
2017: Soros criticizes Trump
In 2017, George Soros described Donald Trump as a con man, predicted Trump would fail because his ideas were self-contradictory, believed Trump was preparing for a trade war, and expected financial markets to do poorly.
October 2018: Soros donates to the Wikimedia Foundation
In October 2018, George Soros donated $2 million to the Wikimedia Foundation via the Wikimedia Endowment program.
October 2018: United States Mail Bombing Attempts
In October 2018, George Soros's home was targeted with a pipe bomb as part of the United States mail bombing attempts. Similar bombs were mailed to other prominent figures like Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
October 22, 2018: Pipe Bomb Placed at Soros's Home
On October 22, 2018, a pipe bomb was discovered in the mailbox at George Soros's home in Katonah, New York, as part of a series of mail bombing attempts targeting prominent Democrats and liberals. The bomb was discovered by a caretaker and later exploded by the FBI as part of their investigation.
October 26, 2018: Arrest of Cesar Sayoc Jr.
On October 26, 2018, Cesar Sayoc Jr. was arrested in Aventura, Florida, as a suspect in the mailing of pipe bombs, including the one sent to George Soros's home.
2018: Soros highlights challenges facing Europe
In 2018, George Soros highlighted major challenges facing Europe, including immigration, austerity, the rise of populism, the refugee crisis, a growing rift between Europe and the United States, and unresolved problems with the euro, advocating for a 'multi-track Europe'.
2018: Alex Soros on his father's motivations for philanthropy
In a 2018 interview, Alex Soros, George Soros's son, stated that his father fights for an open society because, in a non-Jewish state, a Jew can only feel safe when other minorities are protected, which drives his philanthropic activities.
January 2019: Soros labels Xi Jinping a dangerous opponent
In January 2019, George Soros labeled Xi Jinping as the 'most dangerous opponent of open societies' at the World Economic Forum in Davos, urged the US to block Huawei and ZTE's 5G dominance, and criticized China's Social Credit System.
August 2019: Sentencing of Cesar Sayoc Jr.
In August 2019, Cesar Sayoc Jr. was sentenced to 20 years in prison for mailing 16 pipe bombs to 13 victims, including George Soros. None of the devices detonated.
January 2020: Soros announces $1 billion endowment donation
In January 2020, George Soros announced a $1 billion endowment donation at the World Economic Forum, establishing the Open Society University Network in partnership with Bard College and the Central European University.
March 2020: Soros listed as 162nd richest person
As of March 2020, Forbes magazine listed George Soros as the 162nd richest person in the world, with a net worth of $8.3 billion, and noted he has donated 64% of his original fortune.
July 2020: Soros donates to Bard College
In July 2020, George Soros donated $100 million to Bard College, to strengthen and expand Bard's Center for Civic Engagement initiatives, and its leadership role as a founding partner of the Open Society University Network.
July 2020: Soros's Foundations plan grants for racial justice
In July 2020, George Soros's Foundations announced plans to give $220 million in grants for racial justice groups, criminal justice reform and civic engagement.
April 2021: Soros pledges $500 million to the endowment of Bard College
In April 2021, George Soros pledged $500 million to the endowment of Bard College. The donation sits among the largest ever made to higher education in the United States.
August 2021: Soros donates to the Center for Curatorial Studies at Bard College
In August 2021, George Soros donated $25 million to the Center for Curatorial Studies at Bard College, following the $500 million donation in April 2021.
May 2022: Soros warns of third world war due to Russian invasion
In May 2022, George Soros stated that the Russian invasion of Ukraine may be the start of a third world war and that Putin must be defeated as soon as possible.
September 2022: Soros donates to Bard College
In September 2022, George Soros made an additional $25 million donation to Bard College.
2022: Real Estate Holdings in 2022
As of 2022, George Soros owned homes on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, in The Hamptons on Long Island, and in Katonah, New York, within Westchester County.
February 2023: Soros criticizes Modi for Islamophobia and authoritarianism
In February 2023, George Soros criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for alleged Islamophobia, cronyism and authoritarianism. Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party accused Soros of trying to undermine Indian democracy.
December 2023: Swatting Incident
In December 2023, George Soros was swatted during a period of similar harassment targeting American political figures.
December 2023: Accusations of Supporting Anti-Israel Organizations
In December 2023, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, accused George Soros of supporting pro-Palestinian organizations that seek the destruction of the State of Israel as a Jewish state. Soros's son, Alexander, dismissed these accusations as dishonest, right-wing attacks.
Mentioned in this timeline
Huawei is a Chinese multinational technology corporation headquartered in Shenzhen...
Donald John Trump is an American politician media personality and...
Ukraine is a large Eastern European country bordering Russia Belarus...
George W Bush served as the rd President of the...
CBS is a major American commercial broadcast television and radio...
California is a U S state on the Pacific Coast...
Trending
31 minutes ago Kendall Jenner Celebrates Her 30th Birthday with Nude Beach Photos and Bikini Looks
24 days ago Ridge Holland's WWE Contract Not Renewed Due to Injury After Surgery
32 minutes ago Mega Millions Lottery: No Jackpot Winner on November 4, 2025, $1.3 Billion prize
32 minutes ago Barcelona Welcomes 23,000 Fans to Training at Renovated Spotify Camp Nou After 894 Days.
32 minutes ago Violent Protests Erupt at Pro-Israel Gathering in Toronto, Resulting in Multiple Arrests.
33 minutes ago Denny's to Go Private in $620 Million Deal; Pizza Hut Sale Rumors
Popular
Nancy Pelosi is a prominent American politician notably serving as...
Zohran Kwame Mamdani is an American politician currently serving as...
William Franklin Graham III commonly known as Franklin Graham is...
Chuck Schumer is the senior United States Senator from New...
Abigail Spanberger is an American politician who served as the...
Gavin Newsom is an American politician and businessman currently serving...