Wiki Biography / Profile Background
Introduction :
Jane Elizabeth Ebsworth Oriel was the wife of Sir David Attenborough, one of the most influential and highly acclaimed naturalists, pacifist and broadcaster. Sir David is considered a national treasure in the UK.
Personal Life, Parents and Family Details :
- Jane was born on 11th July 1926 in Middlesex, England.
- She met her husband Sir David at Cambridge University. She knew it was with Attenborough that she would spend the rest of her life with, so the two decided to tie the knot with him on 17th of February 1950 at Saint Anne’s Church, Kew Green.
- They were married for 47 long years before her tragic passing away in 1997.
- While they were married, the couple were blessed to have two kids – Robert Attenborough and Susan Attenborough.
- Robert was inspired by his father, pursuing biological anthropology and later became a senior lecturer for the School of Archaeology and Anthropology at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia. Meanwhile, Susan became a primary school head and lived with her father.
Wife of a National Treasure :
- Jane’s husband became successful with his career as he took on a lot of work in his long & illustrious career. He joined the BBC in 1952 & started off with his ‘Zoo quest’ documentary series.
- The initial documentaries were demanding work for him, and he had to stay away from home for a couple of months. He also was a part of a zoological expedition at the Royal Geographical Society.
- It was Jane who stayed in the house and helped primarily in raising their two young kids.
- As the years went by, Sir David’s career continued to flourish with Jane standing by him all the way. Attenborough became controller of BBC2, spearheading the colour transition of television and received several recognitions for his work including an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by the University of Leicester & even received a knighthood in 1985, and a waxwork at Madame Tussaud’s in 1992.
- He recognised in one of his interviews how understanding Jane has been throughout their journey as a family.
Death Cause and Funeral :
- Jane remained an ever-supportive wife to her husband David and all his endeavours. Until one day in 1997, Jane collapsed and later found out that she suffered from a brain haemorrhage and became comatose.
- Sir David during that time of Jane’s death, was filming a BBC nature documentary series called The Life of Birds in New Zealand.
- He heard the news and immediately flew back to Fulham, London. She remained in a coma until her husband was able to travel back home just in time to be with her on her deathbed. He held her hand, and she squeezed his hand before she passed away.
- In 2002, Sir David wrote in his memoir, Life on Air, that he considered Jane as his ‘anchor’ and he felt immensely lost after she passed away. Her absence left a huge void in his life, and he threw himself into work and travelling around the world to cope up with the loss. Now well over 90 years old, he still stays in the house they shared with his daughter Susan.
As a young teenager, I had a HUGE crush on David.
I used to dream of being by his side during his many adventures, my having a love of animals only endeared him to me more.
I’m 80 yrs old now and still enjoy watching and listening to him. Keep up the good work David. The world needs you.
ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS MAN…HIS DEVOTION TO THE SAVING OF EARTH THROUGH HIS RESEARCH IS UNPARALLELED. The world is a better place with him in it. I used to be glued to the TV watching his shows with amazement, and I still do, his gentle spirit touches the soul…