Sir David Attenborough, the renowned British naturalist and broadcaster, celebrates his 100th birthday today (May 8). Born in Leicester, his early years there helped shape his lifelong passion for the natural world. He is best known as the voice behind award-winning natural history programmes including Life on Earth, The Private Life of Plants and The Blue Planet, and continues to be involved in broadcasting at age 100.
In a look at the secrets to his long life, Attenborough has attributed some of his enduring health to a straightforward dietary change. While not completely vegetarian, he has dramatically cut back on red meat consumption. He discussed his eating patterns in 2017, stating: 'I have certainly changed my diet. Not in a great sort of dramatic way. But I don't think I've eaten red meat for months.' He acknowledged still eating cheese and fish, but has otherwise 'become much more vegetarian' than he ever imagined.
Speaking ahead of his 90th birthday in 2016, Attenborough told The Guardian that the key factor behind his longevity was simply 'sheer darn luck'. He said that remaining cognitively and physically able while many loved ones suffer with age was 'not Christian virtue, just luck'.
To mark his centenary, the BBC has scheduled a week of special programming, including a new documentary titled Making Life on Earth: Attenborough’s Greatest Adventure, which offers a behind-the-scenes look at his seminal 1979 series Life on Earth.
