Sir David Attenborough, the famous broadcaster and naturalist, celebrated his 99th birthday on May 8, 2025. Known for his amazing nature documentaries, Sir David has spent over 70 years bringing the wonders of the natural world to people all over the globe. His work has inspired millions to care about animals, plants, and the environment.
Sir David’s TV career began in 1954 with a show called Zoo Quest. It was one of the first programs to show wild animals on screen, helping people see creatures like chimpanzees and pythons up close. It quickly became a hit and started his long journey as a wildlife presenter.
In 1965, Sir David became the controller of the brand-new BBC Two channel. He helped launch colour television in the UK, first shown during Wimbledon in 1967. He is the only person to win a BAFTA award for shows in black & white, colour, HD, 3D, 4K, and virtual reality!
Even though he’s worked with many wild animals, Sir David once said he doesn’t like rats. In a 1979 interview, he shared that he’s had them crawl on his face while filming in remote areas, something he called “really horrible.”
Sir David has been knighted not once, but twice! His second knighthood in 2022 was awarded by King Charles for his dedication to nature and conservation.
Many animals and even a prehistoric reptile have been named after him, including a butterfly and a marine reptile.
In 2018, a new polar ship was named the RRS Sir David Attenborough in his honour. Though the public voted for “Boaty McBoatface,” that name was given to a smaller submarine aboard the ship.
He also explored the plant world in The Private Life of Plants and gave the corpse flower its official name, “Titan Arum.” This giant flower smells like rotting meat and only blooms for a couple of days every few years.
Sir David has two special Blue Peter badges, including the rare Gold badge for outstanding achievements, and a Green badge for his work helping children understand the environment.
Even at 99, Sir David is still working. He is releasing a new film called Ocean, which explores how life in the sea has changed and why it’s so important to protect our oceans. He says it may be one of the most important projects of his life.
