For years, billionaire financier George Soros' son Alexander Soros was known as a Hamptons rich kid who threw lavish parties, picked up models and befriended NBA legends.
His flamboyant lifestyle and untamed antics earned him a reputation as something of a 'playboy' - and even saw him once described as an 'embarrassment' within his famous family, standing in sharp contrast to his father's fierce dedication to personal privacy and his long-standing image as a serious and respected philanthropist and businessman.
So when Alex, now 38, was named as the successor and heir to his father's $25 billion empire, the news certainly raised some eyebrows - particularly among those who knew the former wildchild as nothing more than a party-loving rich kid.
His ascent to the head of George's Open Society Foundations (OSF) was seen as something of a shock decision, particularly as it saw him usurp his older - and much more serious - brother Jonathan in a corporate battle that many likened to the HBO series Succession.
In June 2023, Alexander Soros, now 38, was named as the official heir to George Soros' Open Society Foundations (OSF) in a shock decision that saw him usurp his older brother
Earlier this week, it was seemingly confirmed that Alex was also now dating Hillary Clinton's longtime aide Huma Abedin - who is the ex-wife of disgraced politician Anthony Weiner
But how did Alex go from being a billionaire playboy to a power player rubbing shoulders with the political elite?
But ahead of the June 2023 announcement, Alex had slowly been working on transforming his image from that of a playboy to a political power player - swapping parties with celebrities for pow wows with people of serious influence, including Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Joe Biden.
His political affiliations now seem to have led him to another major milestone: a romance with Hillary Clinton's longtime aide and friend Huma Abedin, with whom he publicly debuted a relationship on Instagram Stories on Valentine's Day, when the pair enjoyed a date night in Paris.
Certainly Alex has made no secret of his left-leaning views - which align closely with those Huma, who is the ex-wife of disgraced politician Anthony Weiner, pushed during her time working on Clinton's presidential campaign.
When he was named as his father's successor, he vowed that he would use 93-year-old George's fortune to finance even more far-left causes - including abortion rights and gender equality - telling the Wall Street Journal that he was 'more political' than George and planned to reflect that in his business dealings.
Speaking about his goals, Alex said he was concerned about the possibility of Republican Donald Trump returning to the White House — suggesting his family would contribute greatly to Democrats in the 2024 presidential election.
'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 said.
So how did Alex go from being a billionaire playboy to a power player rubbing shoulders with the political elite? Here, FEMAIL has taken a deep dive into the trajectory.
Alex's antics first came under fire in 2008 after he boasted about his drunken endeavors online
For many years, Alex, who was raised in New York, did little to dispel his reputation as a playboy party animal - with his antics first thrust into the spotlight in 2008.
He spent that summer at his father George's sweeping estate in the wealthy Hamptons enclave, drinking, partying on the family boat and 'making out with babes' - before boasting about the romp publicly on Facebook.
The photos he shared were picked up by Cityfile.com - a New York lifestyle website dedicated to the antics of socialites.
Under the headline 'Children of Privilege', the article stated: 'Alex graduated from NYU in May, but he certainly hasn't been spending the summer in search of a job.
'He's been chilling at dad's house in Southampton, drinking 40s while cruising on the family boat, and making out with the babes at places like La Playa and Pink Elephant.'
Most of the pictures unearthed by Cityfile have disappeared from the internet, but one remains, showing Alex on a nightclub dancefloor with his face screwed into a pout
Most of the pictures unearthed by Cityfile have disappeared from the internet, but one remains, showing Alex on a nightclub dancefloor with his face screwed into a pout.
A male friend, wearing a beach hat and clutching a cigarette, plants a kiss on the Soros heir's cheek.
Cityfile added: 'He's still listing himself as "unemployed" on his Facebook page, but we're sure that will change once daddy gets involved.
'A job working for Obama? A corner office at his dad's famed hedge fund? Keep your eye on this kid: He's going places!'
Alex's Facebook page was made private shortly after.
Four years later, a New York Times profile of Alex characterized the incident as 'an embarrassment within the family, but also a lesson.'
The heir became known as the ultimate party host after renting out a $72 million summer retreat that attracted famous faces
The heir seemed unfazed by the high-profile criticism - and he showed little sign of slowing down.
In 2016, he rented a $72 million summer retreat called Villa Maria - the Water Mill mansion belonging to late shoe designer Vince Camuto.
The sprawling 20,000-sq-ft compound became the backdrop for a whole host of gatherings including lobster bakes prepared by personal chefs and games of drunken hide-and-seek, according to the New York Post.
In 2016, he rented a $72 million summer retreat called Villa Maria - the Water Mill mansion belonging to late shoe designer Vince Camuto
The sprawling 20,000-sq-ft compound became the backdrop for a whole host of gatherings including lobster bakes and games of drunken hide-and-seek
In one Instagram post, a group of bikini-clad women were gathered around a luxury swimming pool filled with rubber duck inflatables
That summer New York Knicks Star Joakim Noah, music mogul Scooter Braun and fashion designers Timo Weiland and Maxwell Osborne were all among the notable guests.
The mansion soon became dubbed as 'Camp Soros' with floods of snapshots coming out of the meetups.
In one Instagram post, a group of bikini-clad women were gathered around a luxury swimming pool filled with rubber duck inflatables.
In another, Alex, Braun, ex-Chicago Bulls star Jay Williams and other friends were shown enjoying a lobster dinner while surrounded by cocktails.
But these were not the only famous faces that Alex was rubbing shoulders with - with superstar Usher as well as models Chanel Iman and Najah Wakil seemingly in his circle.
In another, Alex, Braun, ex-Chicago Bulls star Jay Williams and other friends were shown enjoying a lobster dinner while surrounded by cocktails
But these were not the only famous faces that Alex was rubbing shoulders with - with superstar Usher also among his circle
Models Chanel Iman (left) and Najah Wakil (right) have also been snapped alongside the billionaire heir
It was this pattern of garish displays of wealth that made the idea he would inherit his father's philanthropic empire, which pumps billions into socialist causes, seem unthinkable.
But Alex began to change the optics on his lifestyle - despite various missteps.
These included a 2021 article in Page Six that reported Alex had left a $700 tip after buying tequila from a bar in Brooklyn during a night he was spending with two women.
Alex began to overhaul his reputation through philanthropy as he grew closer to his father
All things considered, the previously mentioned NYT piece, published in July 2012, appears to have marked the beginning of a public campaign to reframe Alex as a reformed party boy fit to bear the family name.
'After wrestling with his moneyed upbringing, Mr. Soros, now 26, is taking the stage on his own terms, though in a direction his father clearly approves: philanthropy,' it continued.
Alex's first notable act of personal philanthropy was a contribution to Jewish Funds for Justice, a group championing the rights of Jews in America, now called Bend the Arc.
Alex told the NYT in 2012 that he was 'very angry' at George (pictured together), adding: 'I felt unwanted. He had a very hard time communicating love, and he was never really around'
He then launched the Alexander Soros Foundation in 2012 with the stated mission of promoting social justice and human rights, though it also focuses on environmentalism, education, and cultural causes.
It has given millions of dollars to causes including environmentalism and education.
George himself previously said: 'I am very pleased that Alex has taken a serious interest in philanthropy.
'He is playing a constructive role within the Open Society Foundations, but he is also striking out on his own.'
Fashion designer Maxwell Osborne also said in 2016 that Alex was 'the best host... But there's always a moment when he... disappears to do work.'
At the time, Alex was writing his PhD titled Jewish Dionysus: Heine, Nietzsche and the Politics of Literature.
In recent years, he has proudly shared photos with his father, including some taken at their many meetings with political leaders such as Nancy Pelosi
Over time, the playboy's posts on Instagram switched from mansions and celebrities to titans of the global elite - from Barack Obama to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
And it seems he was spurred on by the criticism he had previously been engulfed in, telling The Times in 2012 that he was shocked at the nepo baby 'caricature' that often ran in the press.
'I have the incentive of failing my own reputation. If I don't succeed, then I'm just another deadbeat lazy trust-fund kid,' Alex said.
He also began to repair the rift with his father after a difficult childhood.
Alex, whose parents divorced in 2005 during his freshman year in college, told the NYT in 2012 that he was 'very angry' at George, adding: 'I felt unwanted. He had a very hard time communicating love, and he was never really around.'
In recent years, he has proudly shared photos with his father, including some taken at their many meetings with political leaders such as Nancy Pelosi.
He has since been named as his father's successor - marking his public overhaul complete
George Soros once said he did not want OSF to be handed over to one of his children.
Nonetheless, Jonathan was thought to be the most likely heir due in part to his age and experience as well as having a much less colorful personal life.
But, in June 2023, the $25billion empire was publicly handed over to Alex in an announcement through the Wall Street Journal.
He told the newspaper he planned to broaden his father's woke aims, as well as embrace different causes like voting and abortion rights.
'I'm more political,' Alex said at the time, when comparing himself to his father - having met with big-name Democrats and visited the White House 14 times in just a year.
In June 2023, the $25billion empire was publicly handed over to Alex (pictured with Barrack Obama) in an announcement through the Wall Street Journal
'I'm more political,' Alex said at the time, when comparing himself to his father - having visited the White House 14 times in just a year
He has now said he will use his new influence to champion issues such as reproductive and voting rights.
Jonathan, who is now removed from his father's affairs, said he was 'disappointed but not regretful' of the decision to appoint his younger brother as head of their father's influential Open Society Foundation.
The OSF financially supports liberal groups around the world, with the aims of advancing justice, education, public health and independent media.
Since its launch in 1993, the foundation has donated billions of dollars to mostly non-governmental organizations (NGOs), at a rate of approximately $1.5bn every year.
Alex also seems to be taking his love life much more seriously following his connection with Huma.
It was during Hillary's failed 2016 run that Huma may well have first been connected to the Soros family - when George was revealed as one of five mega-donors responsible for one in every $17 that had been spent on her campaign.
Indeed, Huma's name has previously been linked with the Soros clan when it was revealed in 2016 that she had exchanged emails with another member of Hillary's campaign team about a dinner that the then-Presidential candidate was having with George.
In the email, Huma asked Robby Mook, who would eventually go on to run Hillary's campaign, how she should proceed if George asked Hillary to appear at a fundraiser for America Votes, a progressive organization that he supported heavily.
Robby then replied: 'I would only do this for political reasons (ie to make Soros happy).'
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