- Former hedge-fund manager George Soros is the 178th-richest person on the planet, with a net worth of approximately $8.3 billion, according to Forbes.
- Soros is well known for his philanthropy, having given away more than $32 billion, according to his personal website.
- He has purchased a sprawling network of homes in the New York area, including a Southhampton estate and an Upper East Side townhouse.
- The billionaire spends big on causes he believes in, including politics.
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Conspiracy theorists accuse former hedge-fund manager George Soros of aiding Nazis, conspiring to fill Budapest with refugees, and trying to start a Civil War in the United States. While these theories lack support, little is actually known about how the 88-year-old billionaire passes his days.
Soros built his fortune running what was once the world's largest hedge fund - Quantum Fund. After he passed his hedge fund to his sons in 2011, Soros has largely focused his personal goal of creating a more open society through giving to both his personal foundation and a variety of progressive politicians, according to his personal website.
Keep reading to see how George Soros built his fortune, how he spends it - and why.