Neil Alden Armstrong (August 5, 1930 – August 25, 2012) was an American astronaut, engineer, naval pilot, test pilot, and academic. He was the inaugural individual to set foot on the Moon as commander of Apollo 11 on July 20, 1969. Upon stepping onto the lunar terrain, he remarked, “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind,” a moment observed live by around 530 million individuals. Armstrong’s accomplishment fulfilled President John F. Kennedy’s 1961 objective to land a person on the Moon and ensure their safe return to Earth before the decade’s conclusion.
He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, and the Congressional Gold Medal. After departing from NASA in 1971, he instructed aerospace engineering at the University of Cincinnati until 1979. He also participated in the Apollo 13 accident inquiry and the Rogers Commission for the Challenger tragedy.
Here are several essential details about Neil Armstrong:
| Full Name | Neil Alden Armstrong |
| Date of Birth | August 5, 1930 |
| Date of Death | August 25, 2012 |
| Age at Death | 82 years |
| Birthplace | Wapakoneta, Ohio, United States |
| Religion | Raised Methodist; later identified as a “deist”; not religiously observant in adulthood |
| Height | About 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) |
| Children | Three (Karen, passed away in 1962 at age 2; Eric, born 1957; Mark, born 1963) |
| Wives | Janet Shearon (married 1956 – divorced 1994); Carol Held Knight (married 1994 – his death 2012) |
| Net Worth at Death (2012 est.) | About $10–$20 million (from NASA salary, speaking fees, investments, and royalties) |
Neil Armstrong’s Daughter
Neil Armstrong had one daughter, Karen Anne Armstrong (born 1960, passed away January 28, 1962). Karen was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor known as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma at the age of 2. Despite undergoing treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy, she succumbed at the age of 2. Her demise profoundly impacted Armstrong and his first spouse, Janet. Karen’s illness and passing are frequently regarded as a personal tragedy that influenced Armstrong’s private demeanor. He seldom discussed her, and the family has kept most details confidential. Armstrong also had two sons from his first marriage: Eric (born 1957) and Mark (born 1963). Neither pursued a public vocation in space or media, and both have remained out of the limelight. No recent information regarding grandchildren or other family details has been disclosed publicly.
Biography Update
Neil Armstrong was born on August 5, 1930, in the vicinity of Wapakoneta, Ohio, to Viola Louise Engel and Stephen Koenig Armstrong. He was raised in a working-class household that frequently relocated across Ohio. From an early age, Armstrong developed a passion for flying, taking his initial airplane flight at age 6 and earning a student pilot certification by 16. He pursued aeronautical engineering at Purdue University via the Holloway Plan, a U.S. Navy scholarship, though his studies were disrupted by the Korean War. He served as a naval aviator, operating Grumman F9F Panthers, and completed 78 combat missions, earning the Air Medal. After the conflict, he completed his degree at Purdue and became a test pilot at the NACA High-Speed Flight Center at Edwards Air Force Base, where he piloted experimental aircraft including the X-15.
In 1962, Armstrong was selected as a NASA astronaut as part of Group 2. He piloted Gemini 8 in 1966, marking the first docking of two spacecraft, although the mission concluded prematurely due to a thruster malfunction. On July 20, 1969, he commanded Apollo 11, landing the Lunar Module Eagle on the Moon with Buzz Aldrin, while Michael Collins remained in orbit in the Command Module Columbia. Armstrong’s initial step and his iconic words are regarded as one of humanity’s most significant accomplishments.
Following Apollo 11, Armstrong exited NASA in 1971 and taught aerospace engineering at the University of Cincinnati from 1971 to 1979. He also participated on accident investigation boards. Armstrong shunned publicity and seldom granted interviews. He wed Janet Shearon in 1956; they divorced in 1994. He later married Carol Held Knight that same year. Armstrong passed away on August 25, 2012, due to complications following coronary bypass surgery. His family privately settled a malpractice lawsuit in 2014.
Age
Neil Armstrong was born on August 5, 1930, and passed away on August 25, 2012, at age 82.
Religion
Neil Armstrong was brought up in the Methodist faith in Ohio. He attended church as a youth and participated in the Boy Scouts, which included religious components. As an adult, he characterized himself as a “deist” in various accounts, believing in a creator but not subscribing to organized religion. He rarely talked about faith publicly. His mother, Viola, was a devout Christian and later expressed worry regarding his beliefs. Armstrong’s funeral was private, with no significant religious service reported. He is often described as spiritual but not actively religious.
Death
Neil Armstrong died on August 25, 2012, at age 82 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He underwent coronary bypass surgery on August 7, 2012, at Mercy Health–Fairfield Hospital to address blocked arteries. Initially, he appeared to recover well but subsequently developed complications. The official cause of death was complications from cardiovascular surgery. His family later initiated a medical malpractice lawsuit against the hospital, alleging negligence in his post-operative treatment, including delayed intervention for internal bleeding.
The case was privately resolved for $6 million in 2014. Armstrong’s family requested privacy and opted against a state funeral. A memorial service was held at Washington National Cathedral on September 13, 2012, attended by astronauts, presidents, and dignitaries. His ashes were dispersed at sea from the USS Philippine Sea on September 14, 2012.
Facts
- First individual to walk on the Moon (July 20, 1969).
- Participated in 78 combat missions during the Korean War as a naval aviator.
- Test pilot for over 200 types of aircraft, including the X-15 rocket plane.
- Commanded Gemini 8 (1966) – first docking of two spacecraft.
- Taught aerospace engineering at the University of Cincinnati (1971–1979).
- Served on the Rogers Commission investigating the 1986 Challenger tragedy.
- Shunned publicity post-Apollo 11; seldom gave interviews.
- Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1969), Congressional Space Medal of Honor (1978), and Congressional Gold Medal (2009).
- Had a lunar crater and an asteroid named in his honor.
- He was a private individual, and his family discreetly settled a malpractice lawsuit after his demise.
- His initial words on the Moon are among the most renowned in history.
