Who Is Chris Hadfield? Age, Biography and Wiki
Chris Hadfield, born on August 29, 1959, is a celebrated Canadian astronaut, engineer, and former Royal Canadian Air Force pilot. Renowned for his remarkable space missions and engaging social media presence, Hadfield has made significant contributions to space exploration. As of 2025, he is 65 years old. His journey to becoming an astronaut began when he was just a child, harboring dreams of space travel, which ultimately led to his acceptance into the Canadian Space Agency in 1992.
| Occupation | Astronaut |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 29, 1959 |
| Age | 65 Years |
| Birth Place | Sarnia, Ontario, Canada |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Country | Canada |
Popularity
Chris Hadfield's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Standing tall at 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) and weighing around 154 lbs (70 kg), Hadfield maintains a healthy physique. His dedication to fitness is evident in his rigorous training as an astronaut, which requires both physical and mental strength, especially in the microgravity environment of space.
In April 2001, Hadfield served as mission specialist 1 on STS-100, International Space Station (ISS) assembly Flight 6A. The crew of Space Shuttle Endeavour delivered and installed Canadarm2, the new Canadian-built robotic arm, as well as the Italian-made resupply module Raffaello.
During the 11-day flight, Hadfield performed two spacewalks, which made him the first Canadian to ever leave a spacecraft and float freely in space.
During his first spacewalk Hadfield experienced severe eye irritation due to the anti-fog solution used to polish his spacesuit visor, temporarily blinding him and forcing him to vent oxygen into space. In total, Hadfield spent 14 hours, 50 minutes outside, travelling 10 times around the world during his spacewalk.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Chris Hadfield is married to Helene Hadfield. The couple has three children together: two daughters and a son. While Hadfield’s professional life in the public eye has often overshadowed his personal life, he maintains a close-knit family who supports his ventures. As of 2025, there has been no public indication of any change in his marital status.
His parents are Roger and Eleanor Hadfield, who live in Milton, Ontario. Hadfield was raised on a corn farm in southern Ontario. He was a member of a Wolf Cub Pack that met at the Milton Fairgrounds. He became interested in flying at a young age and in being an astronaut at age nine, when he saw the Apollo 11 Moon landing on television.
On December 23, 1981, in Waterloo, Ontario, Hadfield married his high-school girlfriend Helene Hadfield (née Walter), with whom he has three children: Kyle, Evan, and Kristin Hadfield. Hadfield used to be a ski instructor at Glen Eden Ski Area before becoming a test pilot.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Chris Hadfield's net worth is estimated to be around $5 million. His diverse income sources include his long and illustrious career as an astronaut, public speaking engagements, book deals, and television appearances. Hadfield has authored several books, including "An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth," which further contributes to his earnings.
Career, Business and Investments
Chris Hadfield's career spans over three decades in aviation and space exploration. He flew on three Space Shuttle missions and served as the commander of the International Space Station (ISS) in 2013, where he gained worldwide fame for his musical performances in space. Beyond his astronaut duties, Hadfield has also ventured into public speaking, advocacy for STEM education, and promoting science through various media, including social media platforms and television appearances.
In recent years, Hadfield has expressed interest in investments related to space technologies and educational initiatives, leveraging his experience to further innovate in these fields.
Chris Austin Hadfield (born August 29, 1959) is a Canadian retired astronaut, engineer, fighter pilot, musician, and writer. As the first Canadian to perform extravehicular activity in outer space, he has flown two Space Shuttle missions and also served as commander of the International Space Station (ISS).
Prior to his career as an astronaut, he served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 25 years as an Air Command fighter pilot.
Social Network
Chris Hadfield is very active on social media platforms, particularly Twitter and Instagram, where he shares insights about space, education, and his personal experiences. His handle, @Cmdr_Hadfield, has millions of followers, making him one of the most influential astronauts in the digital space. His engaging content often includes captivating photos from space, educational posts, and personal anecdotes, all helping to inspire a new generation of space enthusiasts.
In 1992, Hadfield was accepted into the Canadian astronaut program by the Canadian Space Agency. He first flew in space in November 1995 as a mission specialist aboard STS-74, visiting the Russian space station Mir. He flew again in April 2001 on STS-100, when he visited the ISS and walked in space to help install Canadarm2.
In December 2012, he flew for a third time aboard Soyuz TMA-07M to join Expedition 34 on the ISS.
When Expedition 34 ended in March 2013, Hadfield became the commander of the ISS as part of Expedition 35, responsible for a crew of five astronauts and helping to run dozens of scientific experiments dealing with the impact of low gravity on human biology.
During this mission, he chronicled life onboard the space station by taking pictures of Earth and posting them on various social media platforms. He was a guest on television news and talk shows and gained popularity by playing the ISS's guitar in space. Hadfield returned to Earth in May 2013, when the mission ended.
He announced his retirement shortly after returning, capping a 35-year-long career as a military pilot and astronaut. He has five published books including his autobiography, the NYT-bestseller An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth.
Education
Hadfield obtained a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Royal Military College of Canada. He later attended the U.S. Test Pilot School, where he trained as a test pilot. His education laid the foundation for his successful career in aviation and space, accompanied by his extensive training in NASA astronaut programs.
In the late 1980s, Hadfield attended the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and served as an exchange officer with the U.S. Navy at Strike Test Directorate at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station.
His accomplishments from 1989 to 1992 included testing the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet and LTV A-7 Corsair II aircraft; performing research work with NASA on pitch control margin simulation and flight; completing the first military flight of F/A-18 enhanced performance engines; piloting the first flight test of the National Aerospace Plane exte
rnal burning hydrogen propulsion engine; developing a new handling qualities rating scale for high angle-of-attack test; and participating in the F/A-18 out-of-control recovery test program.
