15 fascinating facts about Sir David Attenborough
On 8 May 2025, Britain’s favourite naturalist, Sir David Attenborough, turned 99!
David Attenborough facts
Sir David pictured with a young Prince Charles and Princess Anne.
1. Sir David Attenborough was born on 8 May, 1926, in Isleworth, West London
The same year as Queen Elizabeth II!
2. He was raised on the campus of University College, Leicester
Now the University of Leicester, where his dad was principal.
3. Sir David doesn’t count himself as an animal ‘lover’
But instead says he has always been fascinated by them.
4. He’s thrifty!
At 11 years old he struck a deal selling newts to University College, Leicester for 3d (3 pence) each. The newts only came from a pond 5m away from the university’s zoology department!
5. He is the only person to have won BAFTAs for programmes in black and white, colour, HD, and 3D.
6. He doesn’t own a car as he never passed his driving test
He’s also not keen on sending emails, and prefers receiving letters by fax or post.
7. During World War II his parents adopted two Jewish refugee girls from Europe.
8. There’s only one animal Sir David doesn’t like…
Rats!
9. Sir David was rejected from the first job he ever applied for at the BBC
The position of radio talk producer.
10. In 1947 he spent two years serving in the Royal Navy
Based in North Wales and the Firth of Forth.
11. When Sir David got his first job in television, he didn’t even own a TV
Like most British people at the time!
12. His first programme, called Coelacanth, looked at the rediscovery of the coelacanth
– a prehistoric fish.
13. Sir David has more than ten plants and animals named after him
Such as the Nepenthes attenboroughii – a giant carnivorous plant that devours animals as large as rats – and the UK’s new polar research vessel, RRS Sir David Attenborough.
14. In 1985 he received a knighthood
Granting him the title of Sir David Attenborough.
15. He’s thought to be one of the most well-travelled people on the planet
For The Life of Birds documentary, he travelled a whopping 256,000 miles – that’s the same as travelling around the world ten times!
What do you think of our David Attenborough facts? Let us know by leaving a comment, below!
Images ⓒ Getty Images: David Attenborough and two young children (2192547) , holding frog (2588653) , holding flying insect (74046800) , with the Queen (53049821) standing surrounded by objects (108874291) , portrait (526492398) , looking into the distance (526513484) , holding camera (502260275).
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COMMENTS1
Yusuf
I am using this for my writing thanks
Luna
I LOVE his documentaries. They inspire me. I also admire how knowledgeable he is about animals .
Ratlover
I learned so much!!!
Poppy
I love these facts!
Natalia
These facts are really interesting
Thea
I think he is a nattrule animal expert
Lu
I ADORE his documentary’s and I’ve watched them my entire life.
Lottie
Amazing facts!! I'm a big fan of David and Nat Geo!
Eva
I love the facts I’ve learnt so much
Everly
I love these David Attenborough facts. Very interesting. All of his documentaries are cool.
wolseyprimary menassa
i am doing this for my assignment and i am a fan of nat Gio and i think these facts are amazing
Arya Ranchod (7 years old)
I have watched many of your documentaries and they were the best. I’m from South Africa.
Samuel Ogbebor
A man who is very dedicated to his craft. A true source of knowledge, with great impact on the World. I wonder if there will be any others like him.
JAMIE
He is unbeliveable
Steve
He's a living legend.
Nobody.
These facts are good.
Anonymous
brilliant facts
Not telling
i think these facts are amazing
Joyce Thompson
I appreciate the Sir David Attenborough facts. I thought I knew him well but you gave me info I didn't have. By the way, I am a 62 year old fan of Sir David. :0)
stan
I love nature and i watch his programmes and documentaries and just he's AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ethan Wang
This is my first time ever read a NatGeo article on line, which amazed me. The fun facts are fascinating!
Nicholette Greene
I absolutely love everything about Sir David Attenbough I only wish he could have ruled the planet, imagine what a wonderful world we all could have had living peacefully next to animals..truly a Saint in my eyes.
Hi
Sir David is truly am.zing
liam
he is amazing
Heather.McCrae
I.love his programmes have been watching them for years l think he is a wonderful human being I wish he could go on for ever
Yashodara
Wow! such an amazing scientist! Those facts are awesome, thanks so much!
CYNTHIA HILL
I am so mesmerized with your documentaries, I watch BBC Blue Planet all of them every Saturday which has made me go on a Safari. I feel compelled to see and be around the animals. Thank you Sir Attenborough for giving me my Inspiration
unknown
good facts national geographic kids
Neve hunter
amazing facts thank you for them
Bob
Lovley and very amazing man
Hii ya'll
I'm doing homework about him tomorrow!!!
I'm doing homework about him as well
Amazing facts about Sir David. Lots of things I didn't know. I adore him. He's an amazing man.
Someone
I am doing a project on him and this helped me
Em
Love these facts !
jamal peahead
wow so much good facts
Jill Hollands
I am currently enjoying Sir David Attenborough’s programme re: the Galápagos Islands. Now in my mid-80s, formerly working in Education, these programmes are amongst the best that TV has to offer. Sincere appreciation to all of those involved. J.Hollands
Chick
Good facts on David Attenborough
Sue Woods
Amazing facts about Sir David. Lots of things I didn't know. I adore him. He's an amazing man.
munkipops
I'm doing a homework project about him and he's so fascinating
Jeanne
David Attenborough is one of my most respected and admired persons for his many contributions to the planet through plants and animals - a humble thank you.
OMG I did not know this
lol
Soooooo fascinating
mira
love it !
Ve Catterall
An amazing human being. He has given so much pleasure that so many. My favourite ‘personality’.
chicen
i personally think david attenborough is very cool.
josh
AMAZNG FACTS SO INTERESTING
Strawberry
Don’t like rats either
Mark brancheau
Have loved his shows for all my life
Linda
He is the most recognised narrator without even seeing his face. I can't imagine anybody in the future will reach the same brilliant heights or be as wonderfully redeared by millions of people.
Ursula Norbury
Great facts about David Attenborouogj and his life. I'd love to learn even .ore about him. An amazing man!
Bob
I don’t like rats ever errrr they are disgusting
I love rats
Irem
I don’t like rats to and it is so fun to read this amazing thing
Really good
Dena Mcdonal
Is there anywhere that Sir David hasn’t been? Where is his favourite place?
Emma Minen
Wow that is fascinating!
Emma
I like David Attenborough because he loves animals like me!
Lily
He is my role model and i hope he inspires more people
Isabel
I had no idea he was born in the same year as Queen Elizabeth! That's pretty cool!
Ron Shann
A truely special individual!
jef
That's surprising that he served in the navy, he doesn't seem the type to do that.
Penny aged 12
Wow a knighthood
Foxy
He's such a nice person , his whole live dedicated to nature
Seb aged 10
I really think he is awesome
Sandra
What a marvelous man and what a legacy he leaves for us all.
mia
it is so crazy that he did not have a tv when he was growing up an he is so smart
cairo
he changed the world
Ava
he is so cool i want to be like him one day
Isobella age 8
When I grow up I want to be like David Attenborough I love nature
Lola Hyndman
So interesting and all off these are brilliant I don’t like rats either
Donald L Howard
He is a fantastic documentary film maker. It's great that he met Greta Thunberg, the Swedish climate activist. Their difference in age: Over 75 years!
Christine Haynes
I live in new zealand and ex pat from uk. Have followed his programms forever. And his skill is humongous teaching people how to appreciate the best of our natural environment
not saying my name
He probably owns many Nepenthes attenboroughiis if he hates rats.
Great work on your facts!!!
David Attenborough is amazing! I had no idea about all the things he has done!!
charlotte
this was very educational
Anna
Nice article
Grace
I liked this website because it is very good and gave me lots of information that I didn't know
Brenda Cheers
David Attenborough is the most amazing person on this planet
Blueberry
Soooo cool
Lily aged 6
I can't believe that he travelled so far away. I don't like rats either. I am pleased that he got a knighthood.
Nice
ARCHIE
JBarron
so cool
ok
sarosh shahid
coool
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Cooll
penny
cool
savir
95 amazing
march20
can't wait
liv
great website
wow
TrippieRedd
5cluvo
in teresting facts right there
Ethan and Amelie
we must take more care in it . it is getting out of control love Ethan and Amelie
estelle and w
I love the facs and we lirnt alot
estelle
wow thats good omg
nico
well done !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ellie
Np
WOW
Such good information make more like this!
WOW
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Cutie pie 123
michell
that is cool
Kaboo
Cool
unknown
Helpful
cool
Kaboo
Cool
Wow!
Nice
Jj
Aaron Oliver Thézé
Aaron Oliver Thézé
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Imi
Cool
Travis
EPIC!!!!!!!!!
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artiawsome
cooooooooooooool
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Helped me a lot
me
i think this app is helpful
lillian13095
wooooooooooooooooooow
Little flame
Awesome
Jeff
Awsom
Booo',,,,!,,,!!,! !!!!!!!!,
coool
lol
cool
Luke Coleman
He is now in 2021, 95 years old! That's a lot of candles!
jack
amazing facts
TurtleGirl
this was really helpful! next time do you think you can add some more facts as I find david very interesting
ChimpGirl
I agree with 78merryway as I felt as if there could have been some more interesting facts about him.
Hi
78merryway
I would suggest that you add more facts and features
Kk
Wow
#happyturtle
Luke
I love david attenborough
zapppy
cool
: )
Simon
you are epic
The boy
Lesss goooooooo
Bob
Very helpful!
swimmingsloth
very interesting i learnt alot
Raph
I like cats
flamingo lover
very clear and nice facts simple
flamingo lover
it was very helpful and clear
secret
how do know this?? it amazing!!!
William
It is helping my school assignment thanks
ANNABETH
HE IS SO COOL!!!
griffin
amazing
Wow
Mayar
he is amazing person
Never knew!
gemma
cool
Oli
Awesome this is cool.
Nice you are awesome
JACKSON
COOL O GOD
Wow!
Wow
Wow
Aneeka
Omg I really want to be like him
Charlotte
This was very cool
Emily
he is amazing i want to be like him when i am older
Midnight
It always gives me so much information, but sometimes there is just not enough.
Alex
Yay
Alex
Brilliant
Jeff Jefferson
Sir David Attenborough is amazing
John Jeuring
What an amazing person
Dana
Amazing I pray his kingdom will be protected for future generation to be educated and aware of what’s going on in our planet... animals are our teachers Nothing is created for no good reason
emily
I think Sir David is amazing.
Ayaan
Good work on finding this information
You are the best at making videos
Charisse Lim
That's so cool.i never knew these things about Sir David Attenbrough.
Torchy
Great facts I admire Sir David Attenborough and I am doing him as my passion project. when I grow up I am going to spend my life caring for animal and thanks loads for the information!!!
tom norris aged 9
I'am doing a science project on him.
Sonic
I ❤️ David Attenborough!
demi duncan
I have been entertained by David Attenborough's work and videos. I love his video's and all the animals he has seen and gone near.
Senpai
hes so cute and pure i love himmmm
Arie
I'm a big fan of Sir David Attenborough. When I grow up I'm going to make a difference to the world just like him.
Ebony
SO HELPFUL WE HAVE TO WRITE A BIOGRAPHY ABOUT HIM!!!
max
AWESOME!
Narayan Pillai
David Attenborough lived for a very long time and he's still alive
bbb
cool
cool
uni - kitten
brilliant in everything he does. he's amazing
JimmyBob
Have loved David forever!!
Ivy
Wow I love this you have been my fav person who studies animals plus I did my project on you it was really fun and interesting
meinck
good facts
isabella greer
i love David Attenborough! i always watch hisshows and i hope to be a zoologist when im older
Amber mcclunie
I really enjoyed learning about sir David Attenborough. I am interested in animals as well and hope to become a zoologist. I hate a few animals but rats are one of them.
Thomas Sanders
David Attenborough is amazing! I is going to make a vine for him!
kiddo
I never knew any of these awesome facts about Sir David
Alice
Wow i never knew David Attenborough didn't like rats and that he actually met prince Charles and princess Anne
Gail
I come from Leicester
SIMON
I found out things I didn't know, and I come from Leicester.
Joe and ellie
This was great
Really good info on David attenborough
Knighty
Wow!
Tom
David Attenborough is my hero!!!
megab
Hes such an inspiration and an incredible man, he will always be a legend and the world will grieve to his death because hes someone who has show and changed our views in nature :)
Maya_c
I really love you David because you are so inspiring to me!
Boris
Amazing
Im cool
All I want to say is this was a big help on homework! LoL
heis
david attenborogh is the best
JohnAplleseed
Cant believe he won all those baftas
rochelledavies2000
Im doing a speech on rats- Im awed to know david Attenborough doesnt like them either!! :-) xxxxxxx
JCB
Very informative. Im fascinated that he was born in the same year as the Queen!!!
LanaB
I cant believe he doesnt like rats! They can be such friendly animals.
Ryan lion
I found the facts fascinating. We try to watch all the things he dose
Puppy123
Amazing. Just amazing! I love animals. Sir David Attenborough is the best!!!!!
James_Gallagher
Really interesting
Mairead
Hes super!
Emilyboo
Happy birthday Sir David Attenborough! Hope you enjoy! Thank you for doing all your TV shows. My favourite is the Life of Birds documentary.
Dolphin1
Nice facts Sir I salute to you
TedTurner
Sir David is the most inspirational animal lover and Ive learnt so much from his programmes.
Glitzyfish
David has help educate myself and my 3 children. He has brought nature into our house in a way no one ever else has. I know he is respected by my kids when I see their usual kids sitcom/cartoons switched over to catch up on Human Planet. Well done David
SarahBattams
Good to find out more about one of my favourite people. Everything hes produced has been brilliant and ground-breaking, but such a humble man. A legend of our time!
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