George Soros: 6 Reasons to Respect Him

Whether you like him or hate him politically, George Soros has done things throughout his life that will make you admire him.

Before becoming a major contributor to the Democratic Party and progressive causes, Soros became wealthy while also helping other investors make money as an investment analyst and manager.

Here are six reasons to respect George Soros:

1. Soros fled from Hungary as a teenager after experiencing the Nazi invasion and occupation of his homeland, as well as its takeover by communists. He went to England where he graduated from the London School of Economics in 1952.

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2. He quickly took his knowledge of economics to the workplace, joining the Singer and Friedlander brokerage firm in London. In only four years, he headed to New York for more success in the investment field, according to Bio.

3. Soros had intended to make as much money as possible in America so he could then return to Europe in a few years. However, he achieved incredible success as an investment manager for F.M. Mayer and Wertheim & Co. before becoming a portfolio manager for the prestigious Arnhold & S. Bleichroeder firm during the 1960s and early 1970s, according to Investopedia.

4. His remarkable talents for investment moves led him to establish the Soros Fund, which later became known as the Quantum Fund and then the Quantum Fund Endowment. The fund was worth more than $1 billion by 1985, according to Discover the Networks.

During his 20 years managing the fund, Soros made his clients very wealthy with returns on his funds reaching more than 30 percent a year. Sometimes even up to 100 percent, Investopedia reported.

5. Although many of the organizations and causes he funds have political leanings, Soros began his Open Society Foundations in 1984 to help countries throughout the world through educational means and business development, according to Bio. The foundations also contributed to programs that aided victims of natural disasters and public health.

6. Soros has become known as one of the world's greatest philanthropists. His aims include "freedom, democracy, rule of law, human rights, social justice, and social responsibility as a universal idea," he explained in his book, "Open Society: Reforming Global Capitalism."

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