As Sir David Attenborough reaches his 100th birthday, the legendary broadcaster reflects on a lifetime of global affection and environmental advocacy.
Sir David Attenborough says he’s been “completely overwhelmed” by birthday greetings as he turned 100, in a worldwide outpouring of affection for the British wildlife broadcaster after decades of trailblazing work.. After more than 70 years of film-making, Attenborough’s instantly recognisable voice is synonymous with the story of nature.. He is still at the vanguard of efforts to protect the environment and has produced some of his most influential work in recent years.. In Britain,
Attenborough’s centenary is being marked with a week of special broadcasts on the BBC, a live concert at the Royal Albert Hall, events at museums, nature walks and tree planting.. “I’ve been completely overwhelmed by birthday greetings from preschool groups to care home residents and countless individuals and families of all ages.” He thanked all those who had sent messages and wished anyone planning an event to mark the milestone “a very happy day”.. Counting
Britain’s royal family, former United States President Barack Obama and pop star Billie Eilish among his admirers, Attenborough’s charisma, humour and warmth, alongside the depth of his knowledge and flair for storytelling, have made him a broadcasting superstar.. “Your ability to communicate the beauty and vulnerability of our natural environment remains unequalled,” was how the late Queen Elizabeth II summed up his achievements in 2019.. Prince William congratulated Sir David on reaching a “remarkable milestone”
at the special concert at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday, the BBC reported.. A cast of helpers from the natural world helped deliver a card written by King Charles III from Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire to Sir David’s hands at the concert.. ‘LONESOME GEORGE’ AND THE FRAGILE ENVIRONMENT Attenborough’s films have communicated the wonder and also the tragedies of the natural world to viewers across the globe.. Standout scenes include his encounter with two
playful young mountain gorillas who clambered on to him during his landmark 1979 series Life on Earth.. He also made his audience marvel at the teamwork of a pod of orcas hunting a seal by creating waves to break up ice, and his telling in 2012 of the story of “Lonesome George”, the last surviving Pinta Island tortoise, moved people to tears.. “He’s about 80 years old, and getting a bit creaky in his joints
– as indeed am I,” said Attenborough, then 86.. George’s death, two weeks after he was filmed, marked the extinction of his species.. “He’s focused the attention of the world on the fragility of our environment,” Attenborough said at the time.. While Attenborough has topped numerous national popularity polls, being named the country’s most admired man and the greatest living British cultural icon, friends say he rolls his eyes when he is labelled a “national
treasure”.. As climate change has accelerated and the threat to much of the world has become more urgent, he devoted much of his 90s to raising public awareness.. His 2017 blockbuster Blue Planet 2, which highlighted the scourge of plastic in the ocean, achieved some of the highest viewing figures on British television before being sold to broadcasters around the world.
David Attenborough, 100th birthday, nature broadcaster, environment, wildlife documentaries, climate change