George Soros's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of George Soros.

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.

Sections (7)

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

1973: Launch of Quantum Endowment Fund

In 1973, George Soros launched his Quantum Endowment Fund, which would later generate almost $42 billion in gains, leading to him being ranked number 1 by LCH Investments in January 2014.

1980: Honorary Degree from Oxford

In 1980, George Soros received an honorary doctoral degree from the University of Oxford.

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.

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: Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana

In 1998, George Soros was awarded the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, First Class, by the President of the Republic of Estonia, Lennart Meri.

2008: Induction into Hedge Fund Manager Hall of Fame

In 2008, George Soros was inducted into Institutional Investors Alpha's Hedge Fund Manager Hall of Fame along with other prominent figures in the industry.

2009: Awarded Bernardo O'Higgins Order of Merit

In 2009, Michelle Bachelet awarded George Soros the Bernardo O'Higgins Order of Merit in recognition of his "unwavering commitment to democracy and open societies."

January 2014: Ranked Number 1 by LCH Investments

In January 2014, George Soros was ranked number 1 in LCH Investments' list of top 20 managers, having posted gains of almost $42 billion since the launch of his Quantum Endowment Fund in 1973.

July 2017: Elected Honorary Fellow of the British Academy

In July 2017, George Soros was elected an Honorary Fellow of the British Academy (HonFBA), the United Kingdom's national academy for the humanities and social sciences.

2018: Financial Times Person of the Year

In 2018, George Soros was named the Financial Times Person of the Year, recognized as "a standard bearer for liberal democracy, an idea under siege from populists".

April 2019: Awarded Ridenhour Prize for Courage

In April 2019, George Soros was awarded the Ridenhour Prize for Courage, using his acceptance address to address the negative portrayal of him in his native Hungary and donating the prize money to the Hungarian Spectrum.