Legendary Astronaut Buzz Aldrin Announces Heartbreaking Personal Loss

Buzz Aldrin, the oldest living astronaut and second person to walk on the moon, announced Wednesday that his wife has passed away.

Dr. Anca Faur Aldrin, died Tuesday with her husband and son at her side, according to a statement from the Aldrin and Faur families. She was 66

"Dr. Anca Aldrin, wife of astronaut Buzz Aldrin, peacefully passed away last night with her husband and her son, Vlad Ghenciu by her side," the statement reads. "Mrs. Aldrin, an accomplished chemical engineer with a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh, served as the treasurer for the California Hydrogen Business Council and as Executive Vice President of Buzz Aldrin Ventures LLC."

Faur Aldrin was the legendary Gemini 12 pilot's fourth wife. Buzz Aldrin was previously married to Joan Archer (1954-74), with whom he shares three children, Beverly Van Zile (1975-78) and Lois Driggs Cannon (1988-2012).

“I am so fortunate to have found and married the love of my life,” Aldrin said in his own statement about his wife's passing. “She brought joy to everything we did together. I will miss her dearly.”

The relationship history of Buzz and Dr. Anca Aldrin

Buzz Aldrin and Dr. Anca Faul Aldrin began dating in 2018 and were married on Jan. 20, 2023, the astronaut's 93rd birthday.

"On my 93rd birthday & the day I will also be honored by Living Legends of Aviation I am pleased to announce that my longtime love Dr. Anca Faur & I have tied the knot," Aldrin tweeted at the time. "We were joined in holy matrimony in a small private ceremony in Los Angeles & are as excited as eloping teenagers."

In an interview with PEOPLE around the same time, Aldrin referred to his new wife as "the love of my life" and "the whole Wizard of Oz package" with “brains, heart [and] courage."

“I have never been happier in my life than now with my time with Anca,” Aldrin said. “She is the love of my life, and we do everything together, from eating meals, planning projects and watching the world go by, to meeting with our two families and celebrating — as we are at this 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing.

“I am lucky beyond words."