David Attenborough is a British broadcaster, biologist, natural historian and author who has written and presented some of the most influential and acclaimed natural history documentaries for over sixty years.
His voice and vision presented the wonders and challenges of the natural world to millions of viewers around the world, inspiring generations of conservationists, scientists and nature lovers.
He is best known for his Life series, a sweeping survey of animal and plant life on Earth, and his more recent studies of the impact of human activity on the environment.
He is widely regarded as a national treasure of the United Kingdom and an icon of global environmentalism.
contour
- Full name: Sir David Frederick Attenborough
- Date of Birth: May 8, 1926
- Age: 98
- Gender: Male
- Birthplace: Isleworth, Middlesex, England
- Nationality: British
- Occupation: Broadcaster, biologist, natural historian, writer
- Height: 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm)
- Parents: Frederick Attenborough (father), Mary Attenborough (mother)
- Siblings: Richard Attenborough (younger brother), John Attenborough (younger brother)
- Spouse: Jane Elizabeth Ebsworth Oriel (married 1950, died 1997)
- Children: Robert Attenborough (son), Susan Attenborough (daughter)
- Marital status: Widowed
- Net worth: $35 million
Early life and education
David Attenborough, 98, was born on May 8, 1926, in Isleworth, Middlesex, England. He was the youngest of three sons of Frederick Attenborough, an academic and principal of University College Leicester, and Mary Attenborough, an author and suffragette.
Growing up in Leicester, he was fascinated by natural history, collecting fossils, stones and other specimens.
He attended Wigston Boys’ Grammar School and then went on to Clare College, Cambridge, where he read geology and zoology, graduating with a degree in natural sciences in 1947.
He also served in the Royal Navy for two years during World War II, an experience he later said made him realize the preciousness of peace and the fragility of life.
Personal life
In 1950, David Attenborough married Jane Elizabeth Ebsworth Oriel, a former grammar school teacher.
They have two children, Robert and Susan, who have followed in their father’s footsteps in science and education. The family lives in Richmond, London, and the Attenboroughs have a large garden filled with exotic plants and animals.
He often takes his children on trips around the world to expose them to different cultures and wildlife. He describes his wife ‘The brain of the family’ And thanked her for supporting his career and raising their children.
Jane died of a cerebral haemorrhage in 1997, leaving Attenborough heartbroken. He has remained single since then, saying he did not want to “cause” yourself to anyone else.
Profession
David Attenborough began his career at the BBC as a trainee producer in 1950. He soon began producing educational and cultural programmes such as Animals, Vegetables, Minerals? and The Song Hunter.
In 1954 he launched his first natural history series, Zoo Explorations, travelling to various countries to photograph and collect animals for London Zoo.
The series was a huge success and established Attenborough as a popular presenter and wildlife expert.
He went on to produce a number of series and specials for the BBC, such as People of Paradise, Miracles of Bali and Tribal Eyes, exploring the diversity of human culture and civilisation.
Attenborough became presenter of BBC Two in 1965, launching a series of innovative and influential programmes such as The Forsyte Saga, Civilisation, The Ascent of Man and Monty Python’s Flying Circus.
He also commissioned the UK’s first colour television broadcast and supported the development of natural history film-making. In 1969 he became Controller of Programmes at BBC Television, responsible for BBC One and BBC Two, but resigned in 1973 to return to his love of natural history.
Attenborough then embarked on his most ambitious project yet, Life on Earth, a 13-part series tracing the evolution of life on Earth.
The series took three years to produce and involved 30 countries. It was broadcast in 1979 and became one of the most watched and most acclaimed programs in television history.
Several other works in the Life series were subsequently published, such as The Living Planet, The Test of Life, The Life of Birds, The Life of Mammals, Life in the Bush, and Life in Cold Blood.
Spanning more than 30 years and covering all major groups of organisms, the series has been praised for its scientific accuracy, stunning cinematography, engaging narratives and environmental messages.
Attenborough has also worked with the BBC Natural History Unit on other landmark series such as Blue Planet, Planet Earth, Frozen Planet, Africa, Madagascar and Seven Worlds, One Planet, showcasing the diversity and beauty of the world’s ecosystems and habitats.
He has also worked with other broadcasters and platforms including ITV, Sky, Netflix and Apple TV on series such as The Private Lives of Plants, Plant Kingdom, Galapagos, Conquering the Sky, Our Planet, A Perfect Planet and Green Planet.
He has also written and narrated a number of feature films including Up, King of Bachelor, One Life to Live, Galapagos 3D, David Attenborough’s Natural History Museum Alive and David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet.
In addition to his television and film work, Attenborough has written numerous books, articles and essays on natural history, conservation and the environment.
He has also been involved in various educational and charitable endeavours, such as the World Wildlife Fund, the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, the British Museum, Kew Gardens, Kew Gardens, the Eden Project and the David Attenborough Building.
He also served as patron, chairman or trustee of several organisations, such as the Royal Society, the Zoological Society of London, the British Trust for Ornithology, the Wild Bird and Wetlands Trust and the Royal Geographical Society.
Awards
David Attenborough has received numerous awards and honours for his work and achievements. He has won over 30 BAFTA awards, including fellowships and specialist nonfiction awards.
He has also won three Emmy Awards, two Peabody Awards, a Kalinga Award, a Descartes Award, a Princess of Asturias Award, a Fonseca Award, and a Nirenberg Award.
He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II and awarded the Order of Merit, Companion of the Order of Honour and the Order of St Michael and St George.
He has also received more than 30 honorary degrees from various universities and institutions. Several species and places are named after him, such as the Attenborough Long-beaked Echidna, the Attenborough Pitcher Plant, the Attenborough Fan-throated Lizard, the Attenborough Titanosaur and the Attenborough Research Station.
dispute
David Attenborough’s views and actions have been subject to controversy and criticism. Some critics have accused him of being a hypocrite, racist, misanthrope, sensationalist, propagandist or liar.
Some of the issues that sparked controversy include:
His stance on population control and family planning was seen by some as anti-human, anti-poor, or anti-religious.
He believed that population growth was one of the main causes of environmental degradation and that voluntary measures to reduce fertility and consumption were necessary to achieve a sustainable balance between man and nature.
He also supports organizations that promote reproductive health and rights, such as Population Matters and Marie Stopes International.
He helps produce and finance some of his shows, which some consider a conflict of interest, a violation of editorial independence or a form of political lobbying.
He has worked with a number of organisations including WWF, RSPB, Eden Project, World Land Trust, etc. to raise awareness and funds for conservation and environmental causes.
He has also received grants and donations from various sources, including the National Lottery, the European Union and the Wellcome Trust, to support his projects. He defended his partners and funding sources.
His descriptions and editing of some scenes and events in the show have been viewed by some as misleading, inaccurate, contrived or manipulative.
He was accused of using artificial sound, lighting, props, models, animation or editing techniques to enhance the drama, beauty or impact of his shots.
He was also accused of omitting or distorting certain facts, causes or consequences of certain phenomena or actions he described.
He acknowledged that some of his shows employed creative methods to achieve optimal results, but he denied that these methods compromised the authenticity or integrity of his work.
His views and actions on climate change have been seen by some as too alarmist, too optimistic, too late or too partial.
He has been criticized for not addressing climate change earlier or more forcefully on his show, or for being too soft or selective about the problem’s causes and solutions.
He has also been criticized for his carbon footprint, as he travels around the world for his work and uses fossil fuels and other resources.
He acknowledged his responsibility for the problem but said he had tried to raise awareness of the issue and encourage people to take action.
Social Media
- Instagram: @davidattenborough
- Twitter account: N/A
- YouTube Channel: David Attenborough Documentaries
Filmography
David Attenborough has written and narrated more than 100 programmes and films about natural history and the environment.
His most notable works include:
- Zoo Exploration
- People in Heaven
- Miracle of Bali
- Eyes of the Tribe
- Life on Earth
- Living Planet
- The test of life
- The Private Life of Plants
- Bird Life
- Blue Planet
- The life of mammals
- Life in the bush
- Earth
- Cold-blooded life
- Frozen Planet
- Africa
- Madagascar
- Galapagos
- David Attenborough’s Natural History Museum Still Lives
- Conquer the sky
- hunting
- Planet Earth II
- Blue Planet II
- dynasty
- Our Planet
- Seven worlds, one planet
- David Attenborough: Life on Our Planet
- Perfect Planet
- Green Planet
books
David Attenborough has also written and published several books on natural history and the environment, such as:
- Exploring the Guyana Zoo (1956)
- A Trip to Heaven (1960)
- Dragon Quest at the Zoo (1960)
- Exploration under Capricorn (1963)
- Fantastic Beasts (1975)
- Life on Earth (1979)
- Living Planet (1984)
- The Test of Life (1990)
- The Private Life of Plants (1995)
- Bird Life (1998)
- The Life of Mammals (2002)
- Life in the Bush (2005)
- In Cold Blood (2008)
- David Attenborough’s Life Story (2009)
- David Attenborough’s New Life Story (2011)
- From Heaven (2012)
- Adventures of a Young Naturalist (2017)
net worth
According to multiple sources, David Attenborough’s net worth is approximately $35 million.
This income comes mainly from his salary as well as income from television and film projects, books and other investments.
He has also donated some of his wealth to various causes and charities, such as the World Land Trust, Fauna and Flora International, and Population Matters.
