Who is Alex, the successor to George Soros's $25B empire
Alexander Soros, the son of Hungarian-American investor George Soros, has assumed control of his father's multi-billion-dollar foundation valued at $25 billion. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), the billionaire philanthropist said his son had "earned it." Join us as we uncover who Alex Soros is, what is his background, and the reasons he is widely recognized.
Alex was given the responsibility, instead of his older brother
The appointment did not go to George Soros's elder son, Jonathan Soros, 52, despite his background in finance and law. It was believed he would be the clear successor until "a falling out and a change of heart." George Soros admitted that he initially didn't want to pass on control of his foundation to his children, but he recognized that Alex had "earned it."
Alex was appointed as the chairman of OSF last December
In December 2022, Alex assumed the role of chairman at Open Society Foundations (OSF), a philanthropic organization founded by George Soros. He also oversees his father's "super PAC," a mechanism to direct funds to political parties. He told WSJ that he will continue to champion his father's "liberal aims" and keep using the family's wealth to back left-leaning US politicians.
Alex is deputy chair at OSF since 2017
Since 2017, Alex has served as the deputy chair of OSF. The foundation allocates approximately $1.5 billion annually to support various organizations, particularly those advocating for human rights. Additionally, he is a member of the foundation's investment committee, which oversees Soros Fund Management's activities.
Know about Alex Soros's background
Alex is the second-youngest among George Soros's five children and the older of the two sons from his second marriage. He studied history at New York University and earned Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. Alex is the sole family member on the investment committee of Soros Fund Management, which manages money for the foundation and the family, as per WSJ.
Alex's philanthropic endeavors started early on
Alex's first noteworthy contribution to the Jewish Funds for Justice positioned him as a philanthropist, and he further donated $200,000 to the Jewish Council for Education and Research. In 2012, he founded the Alexander Soros Foundation with focus on promoting social justice and human rights.
He hinted at campaigning against Trump in 2024
The 37-year-old had expressed concern over the possibility of former President Donald Trump being reelected and hinted at the financial support his organization may provide in the 2024 presidential race. He stated, "As much as I would love to get money out of politics, as long as the other side is doing it, we will have to do it, too."
He is known for his dynamic personality
Alex Soros has a fondness for hip-hop music and supports the New York Jets football team. He leads a vibrant social life, often attending glamorous parties in Cannes and the Hamptons. Additionally, Alex has embarked on journeys to distant corners of the Amazon and actively serves on the board of Global Witness, a prominent human rights campaign group.
