Esteemed mathematician Jim Simons, known for his groundbreaking contributions, passed away in New York City on Friday, as announced by his foundation.
Simons was a pioneer in using math to make investment decisions, making a significant impact at Renaissance Technologies. His successes rivaled those of well-known investors like Warren Buffett and George Soros. Particularly noteworthy was the Medallion Fund’s consistent 66% annual return from 2018 onwards, showcasing Simons’ forward-thinking approach, as highlighted in Gregory Zuckerman’s book “The Man Who Solved the Market.”
Before his influential work in finance, Simons led the mathematics department at Stony Brook University in New York. His mathematical breakthroughs left a lasting impression on diverse fields such as string theory, topology, and condensed matter physics, as acknowledged by his foundation.
Simons remained actively engaged in the Simons Foundation’s initiatives throughout his life, leaving behind a cherished legacy. He is survived by his wife, three children, five grandchildren, and a great-grandchild.
