Who are David Attenborough's children? All about British broadcaster’s family

On May 8, 2025, Sir David Attenborough will celebrate a significant milestone in life. He will celebrate his 99th birthday next week.

The renowned BBC presenter married his late wife, Jane Elizabeth Ebsworth Oriel, in 1950. They were married for 47 years, until she passed away in 1997. They are parents to Robert Attenborough and Susan Attenborough.

Despite David Attenborough's stardom and public prominence, both his son and daughter prefer keeping their personal lives away from the media attention.

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Everything we know about David Attenborough's family

Jane Elizabeth Ebsworth Oriel

Sir David Attenborough's wife, Jane Elizabeth Ebsworth Oriel, died at 70 after suffering from a brain hemorrhage. During this unfortunate incident, right before she passed away, the broadcaster was in New Zealand, shooting The Life of Birds. Knowing his wife's health conditions, he took a break and stayed with his wife. He remained beside her till she took her last breath.

He reflected on this loss and wrote in his memoir,

"The focus of my life, the anchor had gone… now I was lost."

Robert Attenborough

Robert, a bioanthropologist, is a senior lecturer at the University of Cambridge. He teaches in the Department of Archaeology. During his professional career, he worked on research as well. According to Hello!, the research is "human population biology and health, especially in New Guinea. Evolutionary and behavioural anthropology."

Sir David recounted a special memory with his son with the Times. He spoke about the unforgettable moment when he bought a pet salamander as a gift for Robert's birthday. He shared,

"We unpacked this - it came in a box - I took it out and showed him."

Remembering that day, he further added,

"I said, 'Now there you are.' This thing just sat on his hand. I said, 'Put him in his new home.' He put him in his new home, and it very slowly walked down to the water, and there out from beneath its tail came a little one. My son looked at that with his eyes coming out of his head - as did I."

Susan Attenborough

Susan is a former primary school head. She decided to work with her dad after her mother's demise and fulfilled her late mother's role by helping out her father for work as well as shopping. The natural historian later explained that Susan primarily supports him and manages his tasks, resembling his late wife's contributions.

In a 2017 conversation with Stylist, Sir David Attenborough revealed his biggest fear. He said,

"I'm scared of becoming an appalling encumbrance on my children."

He often admitted how he felt sad leaving his kids for work, leaving away from them.

"If you have a child of six or eight and you miss three months of his or her life, it's irreplaceable; you miss something."

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Sir David Attenborough reflected on mortality & his project

On his birthday this year, his documentary Ocean: With David Attenborough will premiere. The veteran broadcaster candidly expressed his thoughts on life in this incredible project.

As David Attenborough approaches living his life as a 99-year-old, referring to it as "the end of his life," he spoke about nature, concerns targeting the Earth, and more, "after living for nearly a hundred years on this planet."

His work portfolio and association with some of the most popular and insightful documentaries, filmed on different continents, also add a breakthrough to the film.

Calling the ocean the world's most important place, he shared,

"When I first saw the sea as a young boy, it was thought of as a vast wilderness to be tamed and mastered for the benefit of humanity."

Indicating out his age and experience, he further continued,

"Now, as I approach the end of my life, we know the opposite is true. After living for nearly a hundred years on this planet, I now understand that the most important place on Earth is not on land, but at sea."

As a biologist and a professional with immense knowledge, Attenborough pointed out how the ocean "is in such poor health" today. Though the current situation is worrisome, he still seems hopeful, stating that 70.8 percent of Earth can "bounce back to life."

David Attenborough later explained,

"If we save the sea, we save our world. After a lifetime of filming our planet, I'm sure nothing is more important."

In these 98 years, he has read, learned, and known about ocean discoveries. With his experience, he understood the necessity of a healthy ecosystem.

He also elaborated,

"My lifetime has coincided with the great age of ocean discovery. Over the last hundred years, scientists and explorers have revealed remarkable new species, epic migrations, and dazzling, complex ecosystems beyond anything I could have imagined as a young man".

The team of the upcoming film captured and shared interesting insights about these "wonderful discoveries." Additionally, the project reflects on critical reasons behind the poor health of the ocean. One of its most pivotal highlights is the remedy to restore its health. Sir David named it the "potential moment of change."