"I am completely overwhelmed by the birthday greetings." — Sir David Attenborough
Sir David Attenborough Turns 100
Sir David Attenborough, the British broadcaster, naturalist, and author, turned 100 years old on May 8, 2023. His birthday has been marked by a series of events and tributes across the United Kingdom and internationally.
Career and Achievements
Attenborough began his career at the BBC in the 1950s, initially as a trainee before becoming an on-camera presenter. His early television appearances included wrestling a Burmese python in 1956. He later served as controller of BBC Two, where he helped introduce color broadcasting and approved the series Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969).
Over seven decades, he has hosted numerous wildlife documentaries, including Zoo Quest, Life on Earth, Planet Earth, Blue Planet II, and Our Planet. The BBC has announced that Attenborough will narrate Blue Planet III, a series intended to build on the legacy of its predecessors.
He holds the Guinness World Record for longest career as a television presenter and naturalist. He has been knighted twice—first by Queen Elizabeth II in 1985 and again by Prince Charles in 2022. He has accumulated 32 honorary degrees, and in 2022 he received the UN Champions of the Earth Lifetime Achievement Award and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Birthday Events
A celebration titled "David Attenborough’s 100 Years on Planet Earth" was held at London's Royal Albert Hall and broadcast on the BBC. The event, hosted by Kirsty Young, included pre-recorded birthday messages from King Charles III, Leonardo DiCaprio, Camila Cabello, Nile Rodgers, Judi Dench, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and UN Secretary General António Guterres.
On the evening of May 4, fans gathered at Trafalgar Square in London, some dressed in animal costumes, to sing wildlife-themed songs. Additional special broadcasts and nature-related events have been held throughout the week.
Tributes
Prince William delivered a speech at the Royal Albert Hall, stating it was a "rare privilege to celebrate a century of life" and noting that Attenborough changed the way people view the planet. Prince Harry also paid tribute, writing an essay for Time magazine in which he described Attenborough as a "secular saint."
Tanya Steele, CEO of WWF UK, stated that Attenborough's voice is recognizable worldwide and that his storytelling has contributed to international environmental agreements. Composer Pete M. Wyer released a song based on Attenborough's book A Life on Earth.
Recognition
Over 40 species of flora and fauna have been named after Attenborough, including a prehistoric marine reptile (Attenborosaurus) and a dragonfly (Attenborough's pintail). The Natural History Museum named a Chilean parasitic wasp after him to mark his centenary.
Personal Background
Attenborough was born on May 8, 1926, in England, the second of three boys. His brother was actor and director Richard Attenborough. He graduated from Cambridge University in 1947 with a degree in Natural Sciences, then served two years in the British Navy. He has worked with WWF since its founding in 1961.
In an audio message, Attenborough thanked well-wishers, saying he was "completely overwhelmed" by the birthday greetings.