David Attenborough Biography – Explore David Attenborough’s 2025 biography, from Ocean documentary to conservation advocacy. Discover his net worth, quotes, early life, and family.
Sir David Frederick Attenborough, born May 8, 1926, is a British broadcaster, biologist, natural historian, and writer, renowned for his nature documentaries with the BBC’s Natural History Unit, including the Life series and Planet Earth.
At 98, he released Ocean with David Attenborough on May 8, 2025, a film addressing overfishing and ocean recovery, per The Guardian (web:14). Knighted twice, he’s the only person to win BAFTA Awards in black and white, color, HD, 3D, and 4K, per Wikipedia (web:0). A conservation advocate, he supports renewable energy and biodiversity restoration, per Britannica (web:1).
This biography covers his net worth, age, quotes, early life, education, Wikipedia presence, accomplishments, family, career achievements, and awards as of May 1, 2025.
David Attenborough Biography
David Attenborough’s biography is a chronicle of nature’s champion. Born in 1926 and nearing 99, he delivers Ocean, reflecting on ocean health and his life, per Metro News (web:24). From Leicester to global screens, his work inspires millions, per PBS (web:8). This article traces his 2025 milestones, celebrating his conservation legacy.
| Field | Summary of David Attenborough Biography |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | Estimated at $15–30M in 2025, from BBC work and books, per Browvopetshop (web:13). |
| Age | Born May 8, 1926; now 98, released Ocean May 2025, per The Guardian (web:14). |
| Quotes | Known for “The natural world is the greatest source of excitement” (2012), per Goodreads (web:7). |
| Early Life | Born in Isleworth, UK; raised in Leicester, per Wikipedia (web:0). |
| Education | MA in Natural Sciences, Clare College, Cambridge (1947), per Britannica (web:1). |
| Wikipedia | Noted as Life series creator, Ocean narrator, conservationist, per Wikipedia (web:0). |
| Accomplishments | Created Life series, launched Monty Python, narrated Our Planet, per BBC Bitesize (web:11). |
| Family | Married Jane Oriel (1950–1997); two children; siblings Richard, John, per Biography (web:9). |
| Career Achievements | Narrated Blue Planet II, won Emmy, introduced color TV to UK, per Britannica (web:1). |
| Awards | Two knighthoods (1985, 2022), 11 BAFTAs, Emmy for Blue Planet II, per Wikipedia (web:0). |
Key Takeaways
- Released Ocean with David Attenborough on May 8, 2025, addressing ocean conservation, per Silverback Films (web:20).
- Won BAFTAs across five formats, narrated Life series, per Wikipedia (web:0).
- Advocated population control and veganism to combat climate change, per Simple Wikipedia (web:10).
Early Life: Nature’s Spark
Born May 8, 1926, in Isleworth, Middlesex, David Attenborough grew up in Leicester on the University College campus, where his father, Frederick, was principal, per Wikipedia (web:0). Collecting fossils and inspired by a 1936 Grey Owl lecture, he developed a passion for nature, per Britannica (web:1). His family fostered two Jewish refugee sisters, Irene and Helga Bejach, during WWII, per Discover Wildlife (web:19).
Education: Cambridge Scholar
Attenborough won a scholarship to Clare College, Cambridge, earning a Master’s in Natural Sciences (geology and zoology) in 1947, per Wikipedia (web:0). He served two years in the Royal Navy, stationed in Wales, not WWII combat, per Browvopetshop (web:13). His education fueled his naturalist career.
Career: Redefining Nature Docs
BBC Beginnings
Joining the BBC in 1952, Attenborough hosted Zoo Quest (1954–1964), blending studio and field footage, per BBC Bitesize (web:11). As BBC Two controller (1965–1968), he introduced color TV and commissioned Monty Python’s Flying Circus, per IMDb (web:2). He was Director of Programmes (1969–1972) before returning to filmmaking, per web:2.
Landmark Series
Attenborough’s Life series—Life on Earth (1979) to Life in Cold Blood (2008)—set documentary standards, per Goodreads (web:7). He narrated The Blue Planet (2001), Planet Earth (2006), and Blue Planet II (2017), earning an Emmy, per Britannica (web:1). His 2023 series Wild Isles and 2024’s Asia showcased UK and Asian wildlife, per BBC (web:21). Ocean (2025) targets overfishing, per The Guardian (web:14).
Net Worth: Modest Fortune
Attenborough’s net worth is $15–30 million in 2025, from BBC salaries, books like A Life on Our Planet, and speaking, per TheCityCeleb (web:23). Claims of $35M are unverified (web:13). He avoids commercial voiceovers, per Discover Wildlife (web:19).
Quotes: Nature’s Advocate
Quotes include: “The natural world is the greatest source of excitement” (2012, web:7), “We are a plague on the Earth” (2013, web:10), and “The ocean is the most important place on Earth” (2025, web:14). They reflect his urgency, per X (post:7).
Accomplishments: Global Impact
Attenborough created the Life series, narrated Netflix’s Our Planet (2019), and co-founded WWF in 1961, per WWF (web:17). Over 40 species, like Nepenthes attenboroughii, bear his name, per NatGeo Kids (web:6). His Blue Planet II sparked a plastics revolution, per The Guardian (web:14).
Family: Private Life
Married to Jane Elizabeth Ebsworth Oriel from 1950 until her death in 1997, Attenborough has a son, Robert, and daughter, Susan, per Biography (web:9). His brothers were actor Richard (d. 2014) and executive John (d. 2012), per Britannica (web:1). He keeps his family private, per web:9.
Awards and Recognition
Knighted in 1985 and 2022 (Knight Grand Cross), Attenborough won 11 BAFTAs, an Emmy for Blue Planet II, and UN’s Champion of the Earth award (2022), per Wikipedia (web:0). He’s called a “gift to humanity” on X (post:4). Over 50 species honor him, per Britannica (web:1).
Attenborough in 2025: Ocean’s Call
Ocean with David Attenborough, releasing May 8, 2025, for his 99th birthday, critiques bottom trawling and offers ocean recovery solutions, per Silverback Films (web:20). He reflects on nearing “the end of my life,” per Metro News (web:24). An immersive Our Story experience launched at NHM London, per X (post:4).
Conclusion: A Planet’s Guardian
David Attenborough’s biography embodies nature’s voice. From a $15–30M net worth to two knighthoods, his 2025 film Ocean cements his legacy. At 98, he inspires action, per The Guardian (web:14). His story urges us to protect our planet.
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FAQs About David Attenborough
“The natural world is the greatest source of excitement” (2012) captures his passion, per Goodreads (web:7).
Born in Isleworth, raised in Leicester, UK, per Wikipedia (web:0).
Created Life series, narrated Blue Planet, co-founded WWF, per BBC Bitesize (web:11).
Estimated at $15–30M in 2025, from BBC and books, per TheCityCeleb (web:23).
Released Ocean documentary, addressing ocean health, per The Guardian (web:14).
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