Anca Faur Aldrin, Wife of Moon-Walking Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Dies at 66

'I am so fortunate to have found and married the love of my life,' Buzz Aldrin said about his wife after her passing.

Published: 10/31/2025, 1:45:49 AM EDT

Anca Faur Aldrin, Wife of Moon-Walking Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Dies at 66 — Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin (L) and Anca Faur arrive at the Kennedy Space Center for a visit in recognition of the Apollo 11 moon landing anniversary in Cape Canaveral, Fla., on July 20, 2019. (John Raoux/AP Photo)

Anca Faur Aldrin, an accomplished chemical engineer who was the fourth wife of the legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin, has passed away. She was 66.

She died peacefully at her home with her 95-year-old husband and son by her side, according to a statement from the Faur and Aldrin families posted to social media on Wednesday.

A cause of death was not listed, and a spokesperson listed for the families did not immediately respond to NTD News for comment.

"I am so fortunate to have found and married the love of my life," Buzz Aldrin said in the family statement. "She brought joy to everything we did together. I will miss her dearly."

The couple married on Jan. 20, 2023, coinciding with Aldrin's 93rd birthday, in a private ceremony in Los Angeles. That same day, Aldrin received an honor from Living Legends of Aviation.

According to an X post from Aldrin in May this year, the pair became inseparable in their time together, with the astronaut writing: "Happy happy birthday to my love, Anca! I love every minute together."

Their brief marriage was marked by appearances at prestigious aeronautics and astronaut events amid quieter moments at their Florida residence.

In February, Aldrin shared photos on X from their condo, showing the couple enjoying Valentine's Day weekend together. "Hope you had a lovely Valentine's Day weekend," Aldrin posted. "Anca and I celebrated our love and togetherness, spent precious time with grandkids, and enjoyed watching Daytona 500."

Faur also maintained a close relationship with her son, Vlad Ghenciu, and frequently shared photos on Instagram of their time together, including holidays and various adventures with his daughters, Kaia and McCali.

PhD in Chemical Engineering

Faur earned her Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, where she specialized in studying acid catalysts and their complex properties. According to her LinkedIn profile, her doctoral dissertation focused on "Acidity Studies and Reaction Mechanisms on Solid and Liquid Acid Catalysts," while her earlier thesis explored "Liquid Crystals with Ester Structure."

Faur held leadership positions in both the hydrogen industry and her husband's space ventures. She served as treasurer of the California Hydrogen Business Council from 2014 to 2020. The organization, which describes itself as "the leading advocate for the hydrogen and fuel cell industry in Sacramento," represents fuel cells, electrolyzers, components, and utility companies throughout the state.

In 2019, Faur joined Buzz Aldrin Ventures LLC as a board director, was promoted to vice president within a month, and held that position until her death.

Aldrin remains the sole surviving member of the Apollo 11 crew, which landed on the moon in July 1969. According to NASA, Aldrin became the second person to walk on the moon's surface, following mission commander Neil Armstrong, during the historic mission that launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida.