Edward Teller.

Born 15 Jan 1908 Budapest, Hungary

Died 9 Sep 2003 Palo Alto, USA

Citizenship Hungary

Would Be 118 yr If Living

8 min read

Reading time

1,465

Words

Oct 6, 2026

Published

Awards

TL;DR

Edward Teller, called the Father of the H-Bomb, led the team that developed the hydrogen bomb. He worked on the Manhattan Project during World War II and advised President Ronald Reagan on the Strategic Defense Initiative. Teller received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Enrico Fermi Award.

Identity & family.

KIN · 2

Names, aliases, and relatives of Edward Teller — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Nicknames Father of the H bomb

Aliases Edward Teller PhD, Dr Edward Teller, Dr. Edward Teller

Parents: Max Teller
Spouses: Augusta Maria Harkanyi

At a glance.

STATS

Edward Teller by the numbers — life, work, and family.

95 Years lived

10 Awards

1 Marriage

Who was Edward Teller?

BIOGRAPHY

Edward Teller — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Edward Teller was born on January 15, 1908 in Budapest, Hungary, then part of Austria-Hungary. He attended the Fasori Gimnázium, a Lutheran secondary school, and later studied at the University of Göttingen and Leipzig University. His father, Max Teller, was a lawyer. Growing up, he was fluent in Hungarian, German, and Romanian.

Career

The Manhattan Project recruited Teller to Los Alamos in 1943, where he worked on atomic bomb development. After the war, he and Stanislaw Ulam developed the Ulam-Teller design for the hydrogen bomb, leading to its first test in 1952. Teller became known as the Father of the H-Bomb and later advocated for the Strategic Defense Initiative SDI under President Ronald Reagan. He appeared in documentaries including Trinity and Beyond: the Atomic Bomb Movie 1995 and To End All War: Oppenheimer & the Atomic Bomb 2023.

Personal life

Teller married Augusta Maria Harkanyi on February 26, 1934. They became American citizens in 1941. The couple lived in the United States for most of his life, and he declared he was most comfortable in English. Teller died on September 9, 2003 in Palo Alto, California, at age 95.

Legacy

Edward Teller led the team that created the hydrogen bomb and influenced U.S. nuclear policy. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2003 and the Enrico Fermi Award. His work on the Ulam-Teller design transformed nuclear weapons. In popular culture, he appears as archive footage in many documentaries about atomic weapons.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 10

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Edward Teller — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Harvey Prize
Albert Einstein Award
Presidential Medal of Freedom
Eringen Medal
Enrico Fermi Award
National Medal of Science
Ig Nobel Prize
honorary citizen of Budapest
Remsen Award
Golden Plate Award

Did you know?

FACTS · 7

Little-known facts about Edward Teller — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

He was a physicist who led the team that developed the hydrogen bomb.
As an advisor to President Ronald Reagan, Teller was a proponent of the Strategic Defense Initiative, also known as SDI or Star Wars.
He collaborated with Stanislaw Ulam on the Ulam-Teller design for the hydrogen bomb, which used a fission bomb to trigger a fusion reaction in heavy hydrogen.
He and his wife Augusta became naturalized American citizens in 1941.
During World War II, he was one of the hundreds of scientists recruited to Los Alamos, New Mexico, to work on the Manhattan Project, aiming to develop an atomic bomb before Germany.
His biography appears in The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives, Volume 7 2003-2005, pages 534-537, published by Thomson Gale in 2007.
He was fluent in Hungarian, German, Romanian, and English. He studied German literature and translated works into English. After living in America for most of his life, he said he was most comfortable in English.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 35

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Edward Teller.

When was Edward Teller born?

Edward Teller was born on January 15, 1908. He was born in Budapest, Hungary, then part of Austria-Hungary.
Where was Edward Teller born?

Edward Teller was born in Budapest, Hungary. At the time, it was part of Austria-Hungary.
When did Edward Teller die?

Edward Teller died on September 9, 2003. He was 95 years old at the time of his death.
How old was Edward Teller when he died?

Edward Teller was 95 years old when he died. He passed away on September 9, 2003 in Palo Alto, California.
Where did Edward Teller die?

Edward Teller died in Palo Alto, California, USA. He was 95 years old at the time.
How did Edward Teller die?

Edward Teller died of natural causes. He passed away on September 9, 2003 in Palo Alto, California.
What nationality was Edward Teller?

Edward Teller was Hungarian by birth. He later became a naturalized American citizen in 1941.
What languages did Edward Teller speak?

Edward Teller was fluent in Hungarian, German, Romanian, and English. He also studied German literature and worked on English translations.
Who were Edward Teller's parents?

Edward Teller’s father was Max Teller, who worked as a lawyer. His mother is not mentioned in available records.
Who was Edward Teller married to?

Edward Teller was married to Augusta Maria Harkanyi. They were married from February 26, 1934 until she passed away in 2000.
Where did Edward Teller go to school?

Edward Teller attended the Fasori Gimnázium in Budapest. He later studied at the University of Göttingen and Leipzig University.
What awards did Edward Teller win?

Edward Teller received numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Enrico Fermi Award, National Medal of Science, and the Albert Einstein Award.
How many awards did Edward Teller win?

Edward Teller won at least 10 major awards, including the Harvey Prize, Eringen Medal, and Ig Nobel Prize.
What was Edward Teller known for?

Edward Teller is best known for his role in developing the hydrogen bomb. He is often called the Father of the H-Bomb.
Why was Edward Teller called the Father of the H-Bomb?

Edward Teller was called the Father of the H-Bomb because he led the team that developed the hydrogen bomb. His work with Stanislaw Ulam on the Ulam-Teller design was crucial to its creation.
What were Edward Teller's other names?

Edward Teller was also known as Edward Teller PhD, Dr Edward Teller, and Dr. Edward Teller. He sometimes used the name Ede Teller as his birth name.
What was Edward Teller's birth name?

Edward Teller’s birth name was Ede Teller. He later anglicized his name to Edward.
What role did Edward Teller play in the Manhattan Project?

During World War II, Edward Teller was recruited to Los Alamos to work on the Manhattan Project. He contributed to the development of the atomic bomb.
What was the Ulam-Teller design?

The Ulam-Teller design was invented by Edward Teller and Stanislaw Ulam. It used a fission bomb to trigger a fusion reaction in heavy hydrogen, creating a hydrogen bomb.
What was Edward Teller's role in the Strategic Defense Initiative?

Edward Teller was a major proponent of the Strategic Defense Initiative SDI, also known as Star Wars. He advised President Ronald Reagan on the program.
When did Edward Teller become a US citizen?

Edward Teller and his wife Augusta became naturalized American citizens in 1941. They had moved to the United States before World War II.
Which documentaries feature Edward Teller?

Edward Teller appears in documentaries such as Trinity and Beyond: the Atomic Bomb Movie 1995 and To End All War: Oppenheimer & the Atomic Bomb 2023. He is also in The Trials of J. Robert Oppenheimer.
Did Edward Teller appear on television shows?

Edward Teller appeared as a guest on The Mike Douglas Show in 1961 and The Dick Cavett Show in 1968.
What is the legacy of Edward Teller?

Edward Teller’s legacy centers on his role in creating the hydrogen bomb and his influence on U.S. nuclear policy. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2003.
What was Edward Teller's relationship with Stanislaw Ulam?

Edward Teller collaborated with mathematician Stanislaw Ulam on the Ulam-Teller design, which was key to the hydrogen bomb. Their partnership was scientifically productive but also tense at times.
What did Edward Teller study in university?

Edward Teller studied at the University of Göttingen and Leipzig University. He also attended the Fasori Gimnázium for secondary education.
Did Edward Teller have any children?

There is no record of Edward Teller having children. He was married to Augusta Maria Harkanyi for 66 years until her death in 2000.
What was Edward Teller's view on the atomic bomb?

Edward Teller was a strong advocate for nuclear weapons development. He supported the hydrogen bomb and later the Strategic Defense Initiative as a defense system.
How is Edward Teller remembered today?

Edward Teller is remembered as a brilliant but controversial physicist. His contributions to nuclear technology are recognized, and his archive footage appears in many documentaries.
What honor did Edward Teller receive from Budapest?

Edward Teller was made an honorary citizen of Budapest. This recognized his Hungarian roots despite his later American citizenship.
What was Edward Teller's PhD in?

Edward Teller earned a PhD in physics from Leipzig University in 1930. His doctoral advisor was Werner Heisenberg.
Did Edward Teller work with J. Robert Oppenheimer?

Edward Teller worked under J. Robert Oppenheimer during the Manhattan Project. Their relationship became strained, and Teller later testified against Oppenheimer in security hearings.
What was the Ig Nobel Prize awarded for?

Edward Teller received an Ig Nobel Prize, likely for his contributions to nuclear physics. The prize is for achievements that make people laugh and then think.
Where did Edward Teller live most of his life?

After moving to the United States, Edward Teller lived primarily in New Mexico and California. He resided in Los Alamos and later in Palo Alto.
What was Edward Teller's role in the Cold War?

Edward Teller was a key figure in the nuclear arms race during the Cold War. His work on the hydrogen bomb escalated tensions and shaped U.S. defense strategy.

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Published on October 6, 2026

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