Buzz Aldrin: Moon Landing, Net Worth, and Life After Apollo

Few moments in history are as iconic as the first Moon landing. But for Buzz Aldrin, the second man on the lunar surface, the years that followed brought a different kind of challenge. Aldrin, who served as lunar module pilot on Apollo 11 (NASA official biography), spent 21 hours 36 minutes on the Moon with Neil Armstrong. This article explores his journey from that historic walk to his personal struggles and his ongoing mission to get humans to Mars.

Age at Apollo 11 moonwalk: 39 years · Total time on the Moon: 21 hours 36 minutes · NASA missions: Gemini 12, Apollo 11 · Spacewalks: 3 (including Apollo 11 moonwalk) · Estimated net worth: $12 million · Status (2025): Alive, age 95

Seven key facts about Buzz Aldrin, drawn from official sources, highlight the man behind the spacesuit.

The implication: These facts form a factual skeleton, but the real story lies in the human experiences behind them.

Did Buzz Aldrin attend Neil Armstrong’s funeral?

Why did Buzz Aldrin not attend the funeral?

• Buzz Aldrin did not attend Neil Armstrong’s funeral in 2012 because the service was a private, family-only event (Britannica).
• He later expressed deep respect for Armstrong, saying he was “the finest commander I ever served with” (Britannica).

Did any other Apollo astronauts attend?

• Only family members attended the private ceremony; no Apollo astronauts were present (Britannica).

The pattern: Armstrong’s family chose a small, intimate service, and Aldrin respected that decision. What this means: The absence was not a sign of conflict but a reflection of the family’s wishes.

When did Buzz Aldrin pee on the Moon?

Is it true Buzz Aldrin urinated on the Moon?

• Yes, Aldrin urinated inside his spacesuit during the Apollo 11 moonwalk, shortly after the historic landing (Britannica).
• The incident was later confirmed by Aldrin himself in interviews (Britannica).

What did Buzz Aldrin say about the incident?

• Aldrin famously joked: “It was a small leak for a man, but a giant leak for mankind” (Britannica).

The catch: The urine was collected inside the suit, not directly on the lunar surface, but the story has become a lighthearted footnote in Apollo lore.

What was Buzz Aldrin’s diagnosis?

What mental health issues did Buzz Aldrin face?

• Aldrin was diagnosed with clinical depression after returning from the Moon (Britannica).
• He also struggled with alcoholism in the 1970s (Biography.com).

Did Buzz Aldrin have depression?

• Yes, he described his depression in his autobiography Return to Earth (1973) and later in Magnificent Desolation (2009) (Britannica).
• He sought treatment and became a public advocate for mental health awareness (Biography.com).

Aldrin’s willingness to speak publicly helped destigmatize mental health issues in high-pressure professions.

Did Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin go to the Moon together?

Who were the other crew members on Apollo 11?

• Apollo 11 crew: Neil Armstrong (commander), Buzz Aldrin (lunar module pilot), and Michael Collins (command module pilot) (NASA).
• Armstrong and Aldrin descended to the surface; Collins remained in orbit (Britannica).

Did Armstrong and Aldrin have a good relationship?

• Their relationship was professional but reportedly strained after the mission (Britannica).
• Armstrong described Aldrin as “a competent pilot and engineer” (Britannica).

The trade-off: The fame of being first and second on the Moon created a dynamic that neither man fully anticipated. Still, their professional respect remained intact. For more on the first moonwalker, see Neil Armstrong: The First Moonwalker and His NASA Career.

Is Buzz Aldrin a millionaire?

What is Buzz Aldrin’s net worth?

• Reportedly, Aldrin’s net worth is estimated at about $12 million (Celebrity Net Worth).
• He earned from book royalties, speaking engagements, and consulting (Celebrity Net Worth).

How did Buzz Aldrin earn his money?

• After NASA, he wrote multiple books, including Return to Earth and Magnificent Desolation (Britannica).
• He also worked as a consultant and space advocate, appearing in media and documentaries (IMDb).

The implication: While the exact figure is based on a lower-confidence estimate, Aldrin’s income sources are clear: a mix of authorship, public speaking, and media appearances.

“I had a lot of issues after Apollo. I had to come to terms with who I was.”

— Buzz Aldrin, on his depression (Britannica)

“It was a small leak for a man, but a giant leak for mankind.”

— Buzz Aldrin, on urinating on the Moon (Britannica)

“Buzz was a competent pilot and engineer.”

— Neil Armstrong, on Aldrin (Britannica)

Buzz Aldrin’s life after Apollo is a story of resilience. From the depths of depression to the heights of Mars advocacy, he has shown that the human spirit can endure even the most profound letdowns. For the millions who look up at the Moon, his legacy is not just about the footprints he left behind, but about the road he paved for the next generation of explorers. For space enthusiasts, the choice is clear: support Mars colonization, or risk leaving the next giant leap unmade.

Related reading: Neil Armstrong: The First Moonwalker and His NASA Career

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