David Attenborough has said he was “completely overwhelmed by birthday greetings” as the naturalist reached his 100th birthday on Friday. In a recorded audio message, he thanked wellwishers “most sincerely” and noted that he had hoped to celebrate quietly, but “many of you have had other ideas”.
The milestone is being marked with a live event at the Royal Albert Hall broadcast on BBC One, featuring music from his programmes and reflections from public figures and advocates for the natural world. Tributes have poured in from science, politics and popular culture, with the naturalist Chris Packham calling him “the greatest ambassador for life on Earth” and actor Ian McKellen saying he sums up “the best about the BBC”.
Attenborough, born in Isleworth, west London, in 1926, rose to fame as a broadcaster and producer, notably with the 1979 series Life on Earth. He is widely regarded as humanity’s most trusted interpreter of other species and a passionate advocate for the natural world.
To mark his birthday, the Natural History Museum has named a newly discovered parasitic wasp Attenboroughnculus tau after him, while Kew Gardens staff recorded a tribute calling for greater care of plants and fungi. The Australian Museum is offering free entry to a new exhibition in his honour.
Alastair Fothergill of Silverback Films said working with Attenborough was “one of the great privileges of my life”, adding that he brought the wonders of the planet into people’s living rooms in a completely new way, giving audiences a sense of responsibility towards the planet.
