David Attenborough marks 100th birthday with BBC broadcasts and events
Updated
Updated · Reuters · May 5
David Attenborough marks 100th birthday with BBC broadcasts and events
9 articles · Updated · Reuters · May 5
The naturalist turns 100 on 8 May, with a week of BBC programmes, a Royal Albert Hall concert, museum events, nature walks and tree planting in Britain.
Attenborough has spent more than 70 years film-making, and colleagues say he remains closely involved at 99, including in new series Secret Garden.
His documentaries, from Life on Earth to Blue Planet 2, reached hundreds of millions and helped sharpen public concern over climate change, plastic pollution and biodiversity loss.
Did David Attenborough’s beautiful nature films mask the planet's growing crisis for too long?
What is the secret to Attenborough's unique power to turn viewers into activists?
After a lifetime documenting nature, who will be the next global voice for the planet?
David Attenborough at 100: Landmark Events, Behind-the-Scenes Revelations, and Conservation Legacy
Overview
Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday on May 8, 2026, is marked by a major live broadcast event featuring iconic wildlife footage, live orchestral performances, and personal tributes, produced by BBC Studios and the Natural History Unit. Alongside this, the documentary 'Making Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure' streams, commemorating the groundbreaking 1979 series that reshaped natural history filmmaking through technical innovation and global storytelling. The 'Secret Garden' series highlights the rich biodiversity in British gardens and promotes individual conservation actions amid wildlife decline. These centenary celebrations are supported by extensive archival access and exhibitions, underscoring Attenborough's enduring impact as a trusted voice inspiring global environmental awareness and action.