Buzz Aldrin, one of the most iconic figures in space exploration, is mourning the loss of his beloved wife, Anca Faur, who passed away on October 28, 2025, just two years after the couple tied the knot. The 95-year-old Apollo 11 astronaut, known as the second person to walk on the moon, shared the heartbreaking news in a statement expressing his deep sorrow and gratitude for the time they shared.
“I am so fortunate to have found and married the love of my life,” Aldrin said. “She brought joy to everything we did together. I will miss her dearly.” According to a statement released by both the Aldrin and Faur families, Anca Faur died “peacefully” at home with her husband and her son, Vlad Ghenciu, by her side.
She was 66 years old. The announcement described her as an accomplished professional and a devoted partner who had dedicated her career to advancing scientific and sustainable technologies. Her death marks a profound loss not only for Aldrin but also for those who admired her intelligence, grace, and contributions to the field of chemical engineering.
A Love Story Between Two Brilliant Minds
Buzz Aldrin and Anca Faur’s relationship began not in the world of celebrity or glamour, but through their shared dedication to science and innovation. The couple first met in December 2017 at a professional event, where Faur’s work in sustainable energy intersected with Aldrin’s ongoing advocacy for space exploration and technological development. They began dating several months later, in May 2018, quickly finding common ground in their love of research, curiosity, and intellectual engagement.
After five years together, the couple decided to marry on January 20, 2023 — a date that held deep personal significance for Aldrin, as it was his 93rd birthday. The intimate ceremony took place in a small park near their California home, with only a handful of guests present. For Aldrin, who had already lived a life filled with extraordinary milestones, the wedding was a deeply personal and emotional celebration. “It was a beautiful day,” he told PEOPLE in 2024. “We had decided on a private ceremony, as suitably intimate, just us and the stars in the sky.”
Aldrin often spoke lovingly about his wife, describing her as having “the whole Wizard of Oz package” — brains, heart, and courage. He said that she brought a renewed sense of purpose and happiness into his later years. “There is something special about her and the way we connect so well,” he once said.
“I’ve never been happier in my life and I’m lucky beyond words to have her.” The couple shared a partnership built on shared curiosity, mutual respect, and deep affection. They attended numerous public events together, from scientific conferences to award galas, and were often photographed hand in hand, smiling with the ease of two people who had found true companionship.
Buzz Aldrin’s wife Anca Faur died on Oct. 28, two years after the couple got married on the astronaut's 93rd birthday. She was 66. https://t.co/oj5jsqbXnD pic.twitter.com/OXthM9Nkae
— E! News (@enews) October 30, 2025
Aldrin frequently credited Faur with helping him maintain his health, positivity, and energy well into his nineties. In interviews, he referred to her not only as his wife but as his partner in every sense of the word — someone who joined him in managing Buzz Aldrin Ventures LLC and in planning their joint appearances. Their relationship became an inspiring reminder that love can blossom and thrive at any stage of life, even after decades of personal challenges and public scrutiny.
Anca Faur: A Life of Achievement and Dedication
Long before she became known as the wife of a legendary astronaut, Anca Faur had built a distinguished career of her own. Born and raised in Romania, she pursued a degree in organic chemistry technology at Politehnica University Timisoara, one of the country’s leading technical institutions. Her early years were spent as a chemical engineer and research assistant, where she focused on developing sustainable technologies and innovative chemical processes.
Her talent and ambition led her to the United States in the early 1990s, where she sought to continue her education and expand her research opportunities. Faur enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh, where she worked as a research assistant and later earned her Ph.D. in chemical engineering. Her academic focus combined theoretical expertise with practical application, reflecting her lifelong interest in science’s potential to improve both the environment and industry.
Her professional accomplishments were equally impressive. She spent nearly two decades at Johnson Matthey, a London-based chemicals and sustainable technologies firm known for its leadership in clean energy and emissions control. In her time there, she contributed to advancements in catalytic converters and hydrogen fuel technologies — innovations that played a role in reducing global pollution.
From 2014 to 2020, Faur served as treasurer of the California Hydrogen Business Council, where she was instrumental in promoting hydrogen-based energy solutions. Her work emphasized collaboration between scientists, engineers, and policymakers to advance renewable technologies. Later, she took on the role of Executive Vice President at Buzz Aldrin Ventures LLC, where she helped oversee projects related to space technology and education.
Colleagues and friends described her as a visionary who combined technical brilliance with warmth and humility. Her ability to bridge scientific innovation and human connection earned her respect in every community she touched. Despite her many achievements, Faur remained modest about her success, often focusing conversations on her work rather than herself. Her passing leaves a notable void in the scientific and environmental communities she helped to build.
Buzz Aldrin’s Journey Through Love and Loss
Buzz Aldrin’s marriage to Anca Faur was his fourth, and by all accounts, his happiest. Over the decades, Aldrin had experienced both the triumphs of history-making achievement and the challenges of personal hardship. His first marriage to Joan Archer, which lasted from 1954 to 1974, produced three children — James, Andrew, and Janice. After their divorce, Aldrin married Beverly Van Zile in 1975, a union that ended after three years. In 1988, he wed Lois Driggs Cannon, with whom he spent 24 years before their separation in 2012.
By the time he met Faur, Aldrin had faced periods of struggle, including battles with depression and alcoholism — experiences he discussed openly in his memoirs. Yet in his later years, his partnership with Faur appeared to bring him renewed vitality and peace. She became not only his spouse but his confidante and constant presence. They shared professional goals, attended family gatherings, and even co-hosted events celebrating space exploration milestones.
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The couple’s marriage coincided with the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, a historic event that defined Aldrin’s life. At the time, Aldrin reflected on his legacy and on how his personal happiness had evolved alongside his public persona. “She is the love of my life,” he said of Faur during an interview marking that anniversary. “We do everything together — from planning projects and watching the world go by, to celebrating with our families.”
Their bond seemed unshakable, built on years of shared laughter, intellectual discussion, and mutual admiration. Friends of the couple described their relationship as joyful and grounded, a partnership of equals in which both continued to support each other’s ambitions. Aldrin often said that Faur’s optimism and brilliance reminded him daily of the value of curiosity — the same quality that once carried him across the lunar surface.
In the wake of her passing, Aldrin’s statement captured the deep sense of loss he now feels. “She brought joy to everything we did together,” he said, his words carrying the weight of both grief and gratitude. For those who followed his extraordinary journey through life, this latest chapter underscores the human side of a man often seen only as an icon. Behind the moonwalker, the engineer, and the public figure stands a widower mourning the woman who helped make his later years so fulfilling.
Anca Faur’s legacy extends far beyond her connection to one of the most famous astronauts in history. She leaves behind a record of professional excellence, a devotion to advancing clean energy, and a reminder that love and intellect can coexist harmoniously. Her passing at 66 marks the untimely end of a partnership that inspired many, but her influence — both scientific and personal — continues through her work and through the memories of those who knew her best.
For Buzz Aldrin, who once looked back at Earth from the surface of the moon, her absence will undoubtedly leave a space as vast as the cosmos he helped humanity explore. Yet in his words and in his memories, her light will remain — steady, enduring, and deeply cherished.