Aldrin, who made history along with Neil Armstrong as the first humans to set foot on the surface of the moon, said the wedding took place on Friday, which was his 93rd birthday.

"I am pleased to announce that my longtime love and partner, Dr Anca V Faur, and I have tied the knot. We were joined in holy matrimony in a small private ceremony in Los Angeles, and are as excited as eloping teenagers," he wrote.

The post received 53,000 Facebook likes and loves by Saturday and was accompanied by several photos of the newlyweds.

On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin made their historic walk on the lunar surface, fulfilling a vow by the late president John F. Kennedy to send a manned crew to the moon and safely return them to earth.

Michael Collins was the third member of the crew.

Australian Associated Press