David Attenborough’s Family, Relationships, and Friends: Everything Revealed

Sir David Attenborough was known for his deep interest in the natural world, but his personal life included strong bonds with family, lasting relationships, and supportive friends. Throughout his remarkable career, he valued the people close to him as much as his work with wildlife and nature.

Family and Early Life

David Attenborough was born in Isleworth, England, in 1926. He grew up in a scholarly environment, with a father who worked as a university administrator and a supportive mother. His early years gave him a passion for collecting fossils and learning about the natural world.

His brother Richard became well-known as an actor and director, working in films such as Jurassic Park. The siblings had strong connections, shaped by a childhood filled with curiosity and shared interests.

David Attenborough got married in 1950. His wife was Jane Elizabeth Ebsworth Oriel. They met before David’s rise to fame, but the exact place and year are not widely documented. Their wedding took place in England.

Together, David and Jane had two children: Robert and Susan. Robert works as a senior lecturer in bioanthropology at the Australian National University in Canberra. Susan worked as a primary school headmistress before her retirement. Both children were biological.

Jane Attenborough died in 1997. David Attenborough remained a widower after her passing and did not remarry.

Name	Relation	Birth Year
Richard Attenborough	Brother	1923
Robert Attenborough	Son	1950s*
Susan Attenborough	Daughter	1950s*
Jane Elizabeth Ebsworth Oriel	Spouse	1926
Frederick Attenborough	Father	1887
Mary Attenborough	Mother	1896

*Exact birth years of Robert and Susan are not specified, but both were born after David’s marriage in 1950.

Past Relationships

Attenborough’s most significant relationship was with his late wife, Jane Elizabeth Ebsworth Oriel. They married in 1950 and remained together for nearly five decades. Jane supported David’s career and raised their children while he traveled for documentary work.

Jane was British. She preferred to stay out of the public eye and focused on her role within the family. David’s relationship with Jane shaped much of his private and public life. Her interests included education and raising their children in a nurturing home.

Their relationship ended in 1997 when Jane passed away. Since then, David Attenborough did not remarry or publicly date. He often spoke of the loss and the strength he drew from their years together.

Name	Relationship Type	Time Period
Jane Elizabeth Ebsworth Oriel	Wife	1950–1997

Friends and Connections

Throughout his life, Attenborough had close friends, many of whom shared his interests in broadcasting, science, and conservation. One long-time friend was Sir Richard Dawkins, an evolutionary biologist, who met Attenborough through their scientific work.

Another friend was Sir Peter Scott, a conservationist and painter. Their friendship grew from mutual involvement in wildlife causes and television production. Together, they discussed projects and conservation efforts.

Jacques Cousteau, the French oceanographer, was also among Attenborough’s professional friends. Their friendship started through mutual respect for nature films and international conservation events. Attenborough valued these long-standing connections, which helped shape his career in documentary filmmaking and environmental advocacy.

Name	Known Since	Profession
Richard Dawkins	1980s	Evolutionary Biologist
Peter Scott	1960s	Conservationist
Jacques Cousteau	1970s	Oceanographer