Sir David Attenborough says ‘I’m not afraid of death, I’m afraid of not living enough’ as he prepares to celebrate his 100th birthday

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Sir David Attenborough has said he is ‘not afraid of death’ ahead of his milestone 100th birthday.

The popular 99-year-old naturalist and TV presenter will turn 100 on May 8th, and the BBC is creating a special program to celebrate the occasion.

As Sir David looks forward to his birthday, he’s shared honestly that he isn’t worried about death itself, but about not fully experiencing life.

He simply said: ‘I’m not afraid of d.e.a.t.h… I’m afraid of not living enough.’

After nearly a century of life, Sir David realized that the ocean is the most crucial environment on Earth, more so than land.

Protecting our oceans is vital for the health of the entire planet. Having spent my life documenting the Earth, I truly believe this is the most critical thing we can do.

Even though Sir David loves animals and often spends time with wildlife, he’s confessed that he really dislikes rats.

He said in the same interview with Yours Magazine: ‘I really, really hate rats.

I’m a pretty fearless person – I’ve confidently dealt with some seriously dangerous creatures like spiders, snakes, and scorpions without even flinching. But honestly? Rats absolutely terrify me, and I’ll be the first one to make a quick escape if I spot one!

The beloved actor received a pacemaker in 2013, and underwent extensive knee replacement surgery on both knees in 2015.

Sir David’s wife, Jane, sadly passed away in 1997 after suffering a brain hemorrhage. He has often expressed his worry about getting older and especially about losing his independence.

In a recent interview, Sir David described his eight-decade career as simply traveling the world and observing fascinating subjects.

Despite fan concerns about his future, Sir David continues to create new programs, and has several scheduled for release this year.

A new BBC series, Secret Garden, will showcase the surprising wildlife and hidden ecosystems flourishing in gardens across Britain.

Making Life on Earth: Attenborough’s Greatest Adventure offers a look behind the scenes of his groundbreaking series, which began production way back in 1976.

The program will include interviews with Sir David and the team, who will share stories and experiences from their thrilling three-year journey around the globe.

David Attenborough’s special, ‘100 Years on Planet Earth,’ will be shown on BBC One and available to stream on iPlayer.

Join us for a special birthday celebration broadcast live from the Royal Albert Hall! The BBC Concert Orchestra will perform, along with some very special guests.

A letter that kickstarted Sir David’s career was recently discovered, revealing a surprising turn his life could have taken.

As a budding naturalist, a young Sir David had applied to become a producer.

I often tell people not to give up after one rejection, and this story perfectly illustrates that! Initially, the BBC wasn’t the right fit, but they actually encouraged me to try again – specifically, to apply for their television training scheme. That little nudge gave me the confidence to go for it, and I’m so glad I did!

The letter informed the 26-year-old that he had successfully completed the interview process and been chosen for the Television Training Course as a Talks Producer.

Okay, so the BBC finally admitted it – getting him in the second time around? It wasn’t just a good move, it totally rewrote the rules of TV! I mean, seriously, everything before that moment feels…different. It’s like he came in and just completely reshaped how we all experience broadcasting. I knew it all along, honestly!

Sir David began his career at the BBC, eventually leading BBC Two’s programming in the 1960s and 70s. He later became famous for hosting many highly acclaimed nature documentaries.

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2026-03-31 17:06