David Attenborough facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir David Attenborough OM GCMG CH CVO CBE FRS FSA FRSA FLS FZS FRSGS FRSB
Attenborough in 2018
Born	David Frederick Attenborough (1926-05-08) 8 May 1926 (age 100) Isleworth, Middlesex, England
Education	Clare College, Cambridge (MA)
Occupation	Broadcaster natural historian conservationist writer
Years active	1951–present
Title	Controller of BBC2 (1965–1969) President of the Royal Society for Nature Conservation (1991–1996)
Spouse(s)	Jane Ebsworth Oriel ​ ​ (m. 1950; died 1997)​
Children	2
Parents	Frederick Attenborough (father) Mary Clegg (mother)
Relatives	Richard Attenborough (brother) John Attenborough (brother) Sheila Sim (sister-in-law) Michael Attenborough (nephew) Jane Attenborough (niece) Charlotte Attenborough (niece) Tom Attenborough (great-nephew) Will Attenborough (great-nephew)
Awards	Cherry Kearton Medal and Award (1972) BAFTA Fellowship (1980) Kalinga Prize (1981) Knight Bachelor (1985) Kew International Medal (1996) International Cosmos Prize (2000) RSPB Medal (2000) Michael Faraday Prize (2003) José Vasconcelos World Award of Education (2004) Descartes Prize (2004) Nierenberg Prize (2005) Prince of Asturias Award (2009) Fonseca Prize (2010) Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication (2024)
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Sir David Frederick Attenborough, born on May 8, 1926, is a famous English broadcaster, natural historian, and writer. He is known for his amazing nature documentaries that have taught millions about the natural world. His career started in 1954 with a show called Zoo Quest. Since then, he has created many popular series like The Life Collection, Planet Earth, The Blue Planet, and Frozen Planet.

David Attenborough has won many awards, including BAFTA Awards for shows made in black-and-white, color, high-definition, 3D, and even 4K! He has also received several Emmy Awards for his narration. Besides making documentaries, he also worked as a senior manager at the BBC, helping to shape television programming.

In recent years, David has become a strong voice for protecting our planet. He encourages everyone to help restore biodiversity (the variety of life), use renewable energy, and protect natural areas. People often call him a "national treasure" in the UK because of his incredible work and passion for nature.

David Attenborough's Childhood and Family

David Attenborough was born in Isleworth, England, on May 8, 1926. He grew up in Leicester, where his father was a principal at a university college. David was the middle of three brothers. His older brother, Richard Attenborough, became a famous actor and director.

From a young age, David loved collecting natural items like fossils and stones. He spent a lot of time exploring the university grounds. Once, when he was about 11, he even supplied newts to the zoology department! A special gift from his adoptive sister, a piece of amber with ancient creatures inside, later inspired one of his TV shows.

When David was a boy, he and his brother Richard heard a lecture by a man named Grey Owl. Grey Owl talked about protecting nature, especially beavers. This message about humans needing to protect the environment deeply influenced David and stayed with him throughout his life.

David went to Clare College, Cambridge, where he studied geology and zoology. After college, he served in the Royal Navy for two years.

Starting His TV Journey at the BBC

After his time in the navy, David Attenborough worked editing science textbooks for kids. He soon wanted to do something different. In 1950, he applied for a job at the BBC, which was just starting its television service. Even though he didn't get the first job, his application caught the eye of Mary Adams, a BBC executive.

David didn't even own a TV at the time! He joined the BBC in 1952. At first, he worked behind the scenes as a producer for non-fiction shows. His early projects included a quiz show and a series about folk music.

His journey into natural history TV began with a series called Animal Patterns. This show featured animals from London Zoo. It was here that he met Jack Lester, a reptile expert. Together, they decided to create a show about finding animals for the zoo. This led to Zoo Quest, which first aired in 1954. David became the presenter when Jack Lester became ill, and that's how his on-screen career began!

David Attenborough (right) interviewing explorers Vivian Fuchs and Edmund Hillary in 1956.

Later, David decided to study social anthropology (the study of human societies and cultures). But before he could finish, the BBC invited him back to lead one of their TV channels.

Leading BBC Two and Creating New Shows

In 1965, David Attenborough became the head of BBC Two, a television channel that was struggling. He wanted to make BBC Two exciting and different. He introduced many new types of shows, including music, arts, comedy, and science programs.

One of his big ideas was to create a 13-part series about the history of Western art, called Civilisation. This show helped to highlight the new color television service. He also thought that the story of evolution would make a great TV series. This idea eventually led to his famous Life on Earth series.

In 1969, David was promoted to director of programs for both BBC channels. However, he missed making documentaries. In 1973, he left his management role to return to full-time filmmaking. He then began working on his dream project: a huge natural history series.

The Amazing Life Series

Starting with Life on Earth in 1979, David Attenborough created a collection of documentaries that set a new standard for wildlife filmmaking. These shows were known for their high quality and for inspiring many other documentary makers.

His team used new filming techniques to capture never-before-seen animal behaviors. They traveled all over the world, sometimes even changing continents in a single episode! David made sure to give the animals and their stories most of the screen time.

Exploring Earth's Ecosystems

Five years after Life on Earth, the BBC released The Living Planet. This series explored how living things adapt to their environments. It was a huge success around the world. In 1990, The Trials of Life completed this first group of "Life" series, focusing on animal behavior at different stages of life.

Specializing in Nature's Wonders

In the 1990s, David continued to create more "Life" series.

• In 1993, Life in the Freezer was the first TV series to explore the natural history of Antarctica.
• The Private Life of Plants (1995) used time-lapse photography to show plants as active, growing organisms.
• The Life of Birds (1998) explored the fascinating behaviors of birds.
• For The Life of Mammals (2002), special cameras were used to film nocturnal mammals.
• Life in the Undergrowth (2005) introduced viewers to the tiny world of invertebrates.

With Life in Cold Blood in 2008, which focused on reptiles and amphibians, David completed his goal of covering all the major groups of land animals and plants. He later added First Life, which explored the earliest forms of life on Earth.

Beyond the Life Series

David Attenborough filming commentary for a documentary at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United States, with Space Shuttle Columbia in the background.

Alongside his "Life" series, David Attenborough worked on many other nature documentaries. He narrated every episode of Wildlife on One, a popular BBC One series that ran for many years. He also narrated over 50 episodes of Natural World.

Exploring Oceans and Planets

In the new millennium, David continued to work with the BBC Natural History Unit. He narrated The Blue Planet (2001), a comprehensive series about marine life. He then narrated Planet Earth (2006), which was the biggest nature documentary ever made for television and the first to be filmed in high definition.

He also narrated Frozen Planet (2011), a major series about the polar regions. For Planet Earth II (2016) and Blue Planet II (2017), David returned as both narrator and presenter. Blue Planet II especially raised awareness about plastic pollution.

New Discoveries and Technologies

David Attenborough has also explored new technologies in his documentaries. He pioneered 3D documentaries with films like Flying Monsters 3D (2010). He also narrated the BBC's first 4K production, Life Story.

More recently, he presented Attenborough's Life in Colour (2021) and The Mating Game. He also returned to prehistoric life with Dinosaurs: The Final Day and Prehistoric Planet in 2022. In 2025, he presented Wild London, focusing on the wildlife in the city.

Protecting Our Planet

By the year 2000, David Attenborough's documentaries began to focus more on environmental issues. In State of the Planet (2000), he showed how human activities affect the natural world. He also explored global warming in The Truth about Climate Change (2006).

In 2019, he narrated Our Planet for Netflix, which strongly highlighted the negative impact of human activities. He also presented Climate Change – The Facts and Extinction: The Facts for the BBC, which discussed the ongoing loss of biodiversity.

His 2020 film, David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet, was a personal reflection on his career and his hopes for the future of Earth. He has continued this work with documentaries like A Perfect Planet (2021).

David Attenborough was a key speaker at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26). He encouraged world leaders to work together to reduce emissions and protect the planet. In 2022, the United Nations Environment Programme recognized him as a Champion of the Earth for his dedication to nature.

David Attenborough's Views and Advocacy

David Attenborough in 2003 at the launch of ARKive, a project to gather wildlife imagery for conservation.

David Attenborough's programs often show how humans impact the environment. He has supported many conservation efforts, like protecting albatrosses from fishing boats and designating rainforests as protected areas. He is a vice-president of Fauna and Flora International and president of Butterfly Conservation.

He helped launch ARKive, a digital library of natural history media, to help conserve threatened species. He also supports the World Land Trust in creating rainforest reserves. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he advocated for zoos and their conservation work.

David believes that balancing human needs with the planet's capacity is important. He has spoken about how improving women's rights and education around the world can help achieve a sustainable future.

Views on Evolution

David Attenborough believes that evolution is the best scientific explanation for the diversity of life on Earth. He has stated that the evidence for evolution is very strong. He supports teaching evolution widely in schools.

In 2009, he presented Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life, a special program about the theory of evolution. He has said that evolution is a historical fact, like dinosaurs leading to birds.

Supporting Public Broadcasting

David Attenborough is a strong supporter of the BBC and public service broadcasting. He believes that public broadcasting is very important for a country, offering a wide range of high-quality programs for everyone. He has called the BBC "the best bargain" for its many radio and TV channels.

Environmental Politics

David Attenborough has spoken about the importance of international cooperation to address climate change. He has criticized the excesses of capitalism when they harm the environment. He believes that tackling climate change is a political challenge that requires global action.

Concerns About Artificial Intelligence

David Attenborough has expressed concerns about using AI to clone his voice for narration. He feels that his identity is being stolen when his voice is used to say things he didn't intend.

Personal Life

Family

In 1950, David Attenborough married Jane Elizabeth Ebsworth Oriel. They had two children, Robert and Susan. Jane passed away in 1997. Robert is a university lecturer in Australia, and Susan was a primary school headmistress. David lives in South West London.

Health and Longevity

David Attenborough had a pacemaker fitted in 2013 and a double knee replacement in 2015. He has often said that he loves his work and has no plans to retire, as he gets to travel the world and see amazing things.

100th Birthday Celebration

David Attenborough celebrated his 100th birthday on May 8, 2026. This special occasion was celebrated by many people and organizations around the world. A gala concert was held at the Royal Albert Hall, which David attended along with William, Prince of Wales. Many famous people paid tribute to him, and the audience sang "Happy Birthday to You". The BBC broadcast a special program about the celebration called David Attenborough's 100 Years on Planet Earth.

To mark his birthday, a new genus of parasitic wasp, Attenboroughnculus, was named after him. Even Lego updated their age range to 4–100+! The BBC also announced that David would narrate Blue Planet III.

Achievements, Awards and Recognition

David Attenborough's work in broadcasting and wildlife filmmaking has earned him international recognition. He is often called "the great communicator" and "the greatest broadcaster of our time." His programs are seen as examples of excellent public service broadcasting and have inspired many wildlife filmmakers.

In 2024, he received the Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication for his contributions to sharing science with the public.

Honorary Titles

David Attenborough has received many honorary degrees from universities, more than almost anyone else. He has also been made an Honorary Fellow of many important scientific societies, including the Zoological Society of London and the Linnean Society. In 2006, he and his brother Richard were honored by the University of Leicester, where their father had worked.

Recognition

David Attenborough has been the subject of several BBC programs celebrating his work. In 2006, he was named the most trusted celebrity in the UK. He was also named among the 100 Greatest Britons in a 2002 BBC poll.

In 2012, he was included in a new version of the famous the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover, which celebrated British cultural figures. A British polar research ship was named RRS Sir David Attenborough in his honor. He also holds the Guinness World Records title for the longest career as a natural historian and presenter in television.

Genera and Species Named After Attenborough

Many living and extinct species have been named in honor of David Attenborough. This shows how much his work has inspired scientists.

• Plants: An alpine hawkweed (Hieracium attenboroughianum), an Ecuadorian flowering tree (Blakea attenboroughi), one of the world's largest carnivorous plants (Nepenthes attenboroughii), and a genus of flowering plants (Sirdavidia).
• Arthropods: A butterfly (Euptychia attenboroughi), a dragonfly (Acisoma attenboroughi), a goblin spider (Prethopalpus attenboroughi), a smiley-faced spider (Spintharus davidattenboroughi), a flightless weevil (Trigonopterus attenboroughi), a ghost shrimp (Ctenocheloides attenboroughi), a soil snail (Palaina attenboroughi), and the parasitic wasp genus Attenboroughnculus.
• Other Invertebrates: A fish parasite (Cichlidogyrus attenboroughi), a small crustacean (Cascolus ravitis), and an extinct horseshoe crab (Attenborolimulus superspinosus).
• Vertebrates: A Namibian lizard (Platysaurus attenboroughi), a bird (Polioptila attenboroughi), a Peruvian frog (Pristimantis attenboroughi), a Madagascan stump-toed frog (Stumpffia davidattenboroughi), one of only four species of echidna (Zaglossus attenboroughi), and a Caribbean bat (Myotis attenboroughi).
• Fossils: The Mesozoic reptile Attenborosaurus conybeari, a fossilized armored fish (Materpiscis attenboroughi), a fossil marsupial lion (Microleo attenboroughi), and a fossil grasshopper (Electrotettix attenboroughi).
• Other: A new species of phytoplankton (Syracosphaera azureaplaneta) was named to honor The Blue Planet documentary. A scarab beetle (Sylvicanthon attenboroughi) and a brightly colored seasonal fish (Nothobranchius attenboroughi) have also been named after him. In 2022, a 560-million-year-old creature believed to be the first animal predator was named Auroralumina attenboroughii.

Awards

As of 2014, he was the only person to have won BAFTA Awards for programmes in black and white, colour, high-definition and 3D.

Filmography

David Attenborough's television career spans eight decades. His connection with natural history programs began with Animals Patterns and Zoo Quest in the early 1950s. His most famous work, Life on Earth (1979), started a series of nine documentaries with the BBC Natural History Unit that shared the Life name and lasted for 30 years. He narrated the long-running BBC series Wildlife on One. In his later career, he narrated several major BBC wildlife documentaries, including The Blue Planet and Planet Earth. He was a pioneer in 3D documentaries with Flying Monsters in 2010, and again with his 2025 cinema release of Ocean With David Attenborough.

David Attenborough Quotes

• "As I see it humanity needs to reduce its impact on the Earth urgently and there are three ways to achieve this: we can stop consuming so many resources, we can change our technology and we can reduce our population. We probably need to do all three."
• "This is now our planet, run by humankind for humankind. There is little left for the rest of the living world."
• "We're replacing the wild with the tame. Half of the fertile land on earth is now farmland. 70% of the mass of birds on this planet are domestic birds. The vast majority, chickens. We account for over one-third of the weight of mammals on earth. A further 60% are the animals we raise to eat. The rest, from mice to whales, make up just 4%."

Images for kids

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  Trigonopterus attenboroughi

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  Attenborough in 2018 receiving The Perfect World Foundation Award

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  Attenborough receiving the Landscape Institute Medal for Lifetime Achievement and becoming an Honorary Fellow of the Landscape Institute in 2019

See also

In Spanish: David Attenborough para niños