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

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 6, 2026

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

George Soros is a Hungarian-American investor and philanthropist with a net worth of $7.2 billion as of May 2025. He is known for his significant philanthropic contributions, having donated over $32 billion to the Open Society Foundations. Approximately $15 billion has already been distributed, representing 64% of his initial fortune. Forbes recognized him as the "most generous giver" in 2020 based on the percentage of his net worth donated.

Sections (7)

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

1979: Philanthropic Donations Begin

Starting in 1979, George Soros began donating to progressive and liberal political causes through the Open Society Foundations.

2011: $11 Billion in Donations

By 2011, Soros had donated more than $11 billion to various philanthropic causes.

2017: Study Finds Soros Funding Boosted Science 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, significantly increased scientific publications and encouraged scientists to remain in the science sector after the end of the Soviet Union.

2017: $12 Billion in Donations

By 2017, George Soros's donations totaled $12 billion "on civil initiatives to reduce poverty and increase transparency, and on scholarships and universities around the world".

2018: Financial Times Person of the Year

George Soros was named the Financial Times Person of the Year for 2018, recognized as a standard bearer for liberal democracy.

2018: Alex Soros on his father's motivation

In a 2018 interview, Alex 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 is one of the most important driving forces behind his philanthropy.