Jane Elizabeth Ebsworth Oriel became famous for being the wife of English broadcaster and naturalist David Attenborough. They had been happily married for 47 years before she died. What do you know about her?
Here is everything you need to know about Jane Elizabeth Ebsworth Oriel, the late wife of naturalist Sir David Attenborough.
Table of Contents
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Jane Elizabeth Ebsworth Oriel |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 11 July 1926 |
| Age at Death | 70 years |
| Place of Birth | Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, UK |
| Marital Status | Married (at the time of death) |
| Spouse | David Attenborough |
| Children | 2 |
Biography
Jane was born in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, in the UK. Unfortunately, there is limited information available about her parents, background, and siblings.
She came into this world on 11 July 1926, and her life was marked by a profound connection to her husband, David Attenborough. Together, they shared a life filled with love and commitment.
Family Life
David Attenborough is a renowned English broadcaster, television producer, and naturalist. Throughout his career, he has passionately educated the public about the importance of environmental preservation through various television shows and books.
David has produced many films and written numerous books related to climate change and global warming. Some of his best-selling titles include:
- Adventures of a Young Naturalist
- Amazing Rare Things: The Art of Natural History in the Age of Discovery
- Blue Planet II
- Life Stories
- Planet Earth II
While the details of how Jane and David met remain unclear, it is known that they married in 1950, with Jane being 23 years old and David 24 at the time. After their wedding, she moved from Merthyr Tydfil to Richmond Upon Thames in London.
Children
Jane and David welcomed two children into their family: Robert and Susan. Due to his demanding work schedule, David was often away from home, which posed challenges for family life. In a 2017 interview with Radio Times, he reflected on this absence:
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.
David’s children often jokingly commented on their father's absence, saying things like, "You were never there. You don’t remember that Father, do you? You weren’t there." Despite David's fame, Robert and Susan chose to lead lives away from the media spotlight.
Robert is a senior lecturer in bioanthropology at the Australian National University, while Susan worked in education before retiring.
Death
Jane Elizabeth Ebsworth Oriel passed away in 1997 at the age of 70. The circumstances of her death were tragic; she suffered a brain hemorrhage while David was in New Zealand. Upon his return, he found her in a coma, and doctors indicated she had a slim chance of survival. David remained by her side until she passed away.
In his memoir Life On Air, David poignantly expressed his grief: "The focus of my life, the anchor had gone…now I was lost."
Legacy
David Attenborough is currently single and has not pursued any other relationships since Jane’s passing. To cope with his loss, he threw himself into his work and travel, stating, "I coped by working. It was the most fantastic luck that I was able to work."
Today, David resides in the same house he shared with Jane and their children in Richmond Upon Thames, London. He has noted that this place is filled with memories of Jane, and he feels her presence there even after all these years.
At the age of 95, David continues to engage actively in discussions and meetings focused on environmental issues and the impacts of climate change. The couple’s legacy remains strong, as they set a beautiful example of family life, nurturing their children to embrace nature, work, and the importance of family traditions.
