George Soros's Success and Achievements in Timeline

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

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

1944: Survival during WWII

In 1944, Soros's family survived the war by purchasing documents stating they were Christians. 14-year-old Soros posed as the Christian godson of a government official. Soros later wrote that 1944 had been "the happiest [year] of his life" as he witnessed his father's heroism.

1945: Survival of the Siege of Budapest

In 1945, George Soros survived the Siege of Budapest, where Soviet and German forces fought house-to-house. He and his mother hid with the family of Elza Brandeisz and attended their Lutheran church.

1980: Honorary degree from the University of Oxford

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

1988: Soros advises "No" campaign in Chile

In 1988, George Soros advised the "No" campaign in the Chilean plebiscite, providing crucial data and studies that informed the campaign's television program, which ultimately contributed to their victory.

Loading Video...

1991: Doctor of Humane Letters from Yale University

In 1991, George Soros received a Doctor of Humane Letters from Yale University.

September 16, 1992: Black Wednesday

On September 16, 1992, the day of Black Wednesday, George Soros's fund had sold short more than $10 billion in pounds, profiting from the UK government's reluctance to raise interest rates or float its currency.

1995: Honorary degree in economics from the University of Bologna

In 1995, George Soros received an honorary laurea degree in economics from the University of Bologna.

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: 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.

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."

2013: Quantum Fund's Success

In 2013, the Quantum Fund made $5.5 billion, becoming the most successful hedge fund in history again. Since its inception in 1973, the fund has generated $40 billion.

January 2014: Ranked number 1 in LCH Investments list

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.

July 2017: Elected Honorary Fellow of the British Academy

In July 2017, George Soros was elected an Honorary Fellow of the British Academy (HonFBA).

2018: Financial Times Person of the Year

In 2018, George Soros was named the Financial Times Person of the Year.

April 2019: Awarded the Ridenhour Prize for Courage

In April 2019, George Soros was awarded the Ridenhour Prize for Courage and donated the prize money to the Hungarian Spectrum.

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.