Quick Read
- Anca Faur, wife of astronaut Buzz Aldrin, died peacefully at age 66 on October 28, 2025.
- Faur was an accomplished chemical engineer and executive at Buzz Aldrin Ventures LLC.
- She and Aldrin married in January 2023 after meeting at a work event in 2017.
- Buzz Aldrin described her as the love of his life and praised her intellect and compassion.
- Faur’s passing marks a significant personal loss for Aldrin, the second person to walk on the moon.
Buzz Aldrin Faces Heartbreak After Wife Anca Faur Dies at 66
On October 28, 2025, the world learned of the passing of Dr. Anca Faur Aldrin, the wife of iconic astronaut Buzz Aldrin. Faur died peacefully at age 66, with her husband and her son, Vlad Ghenciu, by her side. The announcement, shared on social media by the Aldrin and Faur families, described the moment with quiet dignity: “She brought joy to everything we did together. I will miss her dearly.”
The Meeting of Minds: Aldrin and Faur’s Remarkable Partnership
Their story began in December 2017 at a work event. It was an encounter that would soon grow into a partnership built not only on affection but on shared intellectual pursuits. By May 2018, Aldrin and Faur had started dating, and their connection deepened as they navigated both personal and professional worlds together.
On January 20, 2023—Aldrin’s 93rd birthday—the couple married in a small, private ceremony near their home in Los Angeles. Aldrin recalled the day with fondness: “It was a beautiful day. We had decided on a private ceremony, just us and the stars in the sky.”
Throughout their marriage, Faur was more than a spouse; she was a collaborator and confidant. Aldrin described her as possessing “the whole Wizard of Oz package” with “brains, heart, [and] courage.” Their lives intertwined through everyday routines and major milestones, from shared meals to commemorating the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing.
Legacy of Dr. Anca Faur: Scientist and Leader
Born and educated in Romania, Anca Faur studied organic chemistry technology at the Politehnica University Timisoara. She spent seven years as a chemical engineer and university research assistant in her homeland before expanding her expertise abroad. In 1992, she moved to the United States to pursue a doctorate in chemical engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, where she also worked as a research assistant.
Faur’s career was distinguished by leadership roles in sustainable technology and hydrogen energy. She served nearly 20 years at Johnson Matthey, a London-based chemicals and sustainable technologies institution, and from 2014 to 2020, she was treasurer of the California Hydrogen Business Council. As Executive Vice President of Buzz Aldrin Ventures LLC, Faur supported her husband’s business and advocacy efforts, lending both technical expertise and organizational skill.
Her colleagues and family remembered her as a dedicated professional, a bridge between generations, and a source of inspiration for young engineers—especially women seeking careers in science.
Personal Reflections and the Road Ahead for Aldrin
Buzz Aldrin, now 95, shared heartfelt words in the wake of his wife’s passing: “I am so fortunate to have found and married the love of my life. She brought joy to everything we did together. I will miss her dearly.” These sentiments echoed through statements made to PEOPLE, Men’s Journal, and AOL, all highlighting the profound bond between the legendary astronaut and his accomplished partner.
For Aldrin, Faur represented a fourth chapter in his personal life. His previous marriages—to Joan Archer (1954-74, three children), Beverly Van Zile (1975-78), and Lois Driggs Cannon (1988-2012)—each marked distinct periods, but his union with Faur stood out for its sense of renewal and shared purpose. He often spoke of how their relationship was “luck beyond words” and how, even in his ninth decade, he had “never been happier.”
The loss comes as Aldrin continues to be celebrated as the oldest living astronaut and the second person to walk on the moon. He remains active in public life, but this personal tragedy is a reminder of the quiet battles and private griefs that even history-makers must face.
The Impact of Faur’s Passing on Family and Community
In her final moments, Faur was surrounded by her husband and her son—a testament to the family she nurtured both by birth and by marriage. Her family’s statement requested privacy as they mourn, underscoring the deeply personal nature of their loss.
Faur’s legacy extends beyond her achievements in science and business. She leaves behind a model for partnership in later life, one that balances ambition with compassion, and professionalism with joy. Her story challenges stereotypes about aging, love, and the possibilities of reinvention, reminding us that meaningful relationships and new adventures are possible at any stage.
As tributes pour in from colleagues, family, and friends, the focus remains on Faur’s contributions—not only to the fields of chemistry and hydrogen energy, but also to the lives she touched as a mentor and companion.
Buzz Aldrin’s journey has always been a testament to exploration—on Earth and beyond. In losing Anca Faur, he faces a new frontier of grief and remembrance, one shaped not by space but by the enduring power of human connection. Their story, rooted in shared intellect and devotion, offers a quiet lesson: even icons need love and partnership to truly thrive.