Lasting Legacy of George Soros: A Look at the Influence on History

A detailed timeline of the impact and legacy of George Soros across different fields.

George Soros is a prominent American investor and philanthropist. As of March 2025, his net worth was $7.2 billion, significantly reduced by his extensive charitable contributions. He has donated over $32 billion to the Open Society Foundations, with $15 billion already distributed. This represents 64% of his original fortune. Soros was recognized by Forbes in 2020 as the 'most generous giver' based on the percentage of his net worth donated to philanthropic causes.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

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. The Open Society Foundations has active programs in more than 60 countries around the world with total expenditures currently averaging approximately $600 million a year.

2003: Soros's philanthropic funding efforts

As of 2003, George Soros's philanthropic funding included efforts to promote non-violent democratization in post-communist states, primarily through the Open Society Foundations, with an estimated total given away of $4 billion.

September 2006: Soros pledges $50 million to the Millennium Promise

In September 2006, George Soros pledged $50 million to the Millennium Promise, led by economist Jeffrey Sachs, to provide aid to villages in Africa enduring poverty.

2007: Time magazine reports on Soros's philanthropic projects

In 2007, Time magazine cited that George Soros had given $742 million to projects in the U.S., and given away a total of more than $7 billion.

2008: Increased Attention to Reflexivity Theories After 2008 Crash

After the 2008 financial crisis, Soros's theories of reflexivity, which explain market overshooting, gained increased attention, including becoming the focus of an issue of the Journal of Economic Methodology. These theories were originally dismissed by economists.

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 17, 2017: Soros transfers $18 billion to Open Society Foundations

On October 17, 2017, George Soros transferred $18 billion to the Open Society Foundations, marking a significant endowment for the organization.

2017: Impact of Soros's Grant Program in Former Soviet Republics

A 2017 study found that a grant program by George Soros which awarded funding to over 28,000 scientists in the former Soviet republics shortly after the end of the Soviet Union "more than doubled publications on the margin, significantly induced scientists to remain in the science sector, and had long-lasting [beneficial] impacts".

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.

2018: Alex Soros on his father's philanthropy

In a 2018 interview with The New York Times, Alex Soros, the son of George Soros, explained 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 philanthropy.

January 2020: Soros announces $1 billion endowment donation for Open Society University Network

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 one of the richest people in the world

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. He had also donated 64% of his original fortune through his Open Society Foundations.

July 2020: Soros donates $100 million 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 Foundations announce 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.