Sir David Attenborough has been the voice of the wild for generations. But there’s far more to him than landscapes and narrations. While it’s tempting to view him solely through the lens of his celebrated documentaries, this man is full of surprises as a scientist, storyteller, and occasional newt dealer.
As he turns 99, let’s learn more about the legendary broadcaster.
He Shares a Birth Year With Queen Elizabeth II
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Born on May 8, 1926, in Isleworth, West London, Attenborough entered the world just weeks apart from Queen Elizabeth II. Though their paths in public life diverged greatly, both would go on to become enduring symbols of British identity in their own right.
He Grew up on a University Campus
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Attenborough grew up on a university campus. His father was the principal of University College, Leicester, and the young David was surrounded by books, academics, and the occasional prehistoric-looking fossil. He started collecting and cataloging them before he even hit his teens.
He Doesn’t Consider Himself an Animal Lover
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Did you know Attenborough never owned a pet? He has clarified that he’s more intellectually fascinated than emotionally attached. He doesn’t “love” animals in the pet-owner sense. He’s more of a scientist than a sentimentalist.
He Once Sold Newts for Pocket Money
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At age 11, Attenborough collected newts from a campus pond and sold them to the university’s zoology department for three pence apiece. The pond was about 15 feet from their lab.
He’s Won Baftas Across Every Era of TV Technology
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Attenborough remains the only individual to have received BAFTA awards for programming in black and white, color, HD, and 3D. His ability to adapt to emerging formats, rather than resist them, is one reason his work has stayed relevant for generations.
He Never Learned to Drive
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After almost a century of life, and not a single driving test passed or taken, Attenborough has always relied on others to get from A to B. It turns out you don’t need a license to travel the world; just curiosity and a good pair of walking shoes.
He Still Responds to Fan Letters
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While most of us can’t even answer a text, Attenborough replies to handwritten letters. Sometimes up to 70 a day. Bonus points if you include a stamped envelope. He’s practical like that.
His First BBC Application Was Rejected
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In 1950, he applied for a job as a radio talk producer at the BBC and didn’t get it. Four years later, he was hired anyway and went on to become one of the network’s most influential figures. And the rest is history. Not bad for a second shot.
He Has No Fondness for Rats
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He’s encountered all sorts of wildlife, but rats are the one creature he just can’t get behind. During a stint in the Solomon Islands, they ran across his bed at night. Though he respects their role in the ecosystem, he’s been politely anti-rat ever since.
He Served on an Aircraft Carrier in the Royal Navy
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Fresh out of university, Attenborough did national service aboard an aircraft carrier from 1947 to 1949. Sea life of a different kind. He later said it gave him discipline and helped him decide what he didn’t want to do long-term. He then worked in publishing and editing children’s science books, which segued into his eventual television career.
His First TV Program Was About a “Living Fossil”
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In 1952, he produced Coelacanth for the BBC, a program about a rare fish once thought extinct. At the time, the coelacanth was considered the missing link between sea and land animals. Although the theory was later revised, it was a good starting point for a guy who’d go on to redefine nature storytelling.
Two Baby Gorillas Tried to Remove His Shoes
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During the filming of Life on Earth in Rwanda, two curious young gorillas decided his footwear looked fun. They tugged, he laughed, and the moment became one of the most charming and unplanned scenes of his career.
He’s Not Tech-Savvy
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For a man so forward-thinking in media, he’s remarkably low-tech in daily life. He doesn’t use email, isn’t a fan of scrolling, and doesn’t keep up with a digital calendar. He prefers written notes, the occasional fax, and a world without beeping notifications.
More Than 40 Species Are Named After Him
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From beetles to prehistoric sea creatures to a meat-eating plant, more than 40 species bear his name. Scientists have used "Attenborough" to honor his impact on nature education, and maybe to guarantee some extra publicity for their discoveries.
He Helped Invent Modern Nature Documentaries
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Attenborough launched Life on Earth in 1979 after being inspired by series like Civilisation and The Ascent of Man. It was bold, global, and unlike anything before. The series set the tone and the bar for every nature doc that followed.
