David Attenborough Heartbreak As He Recalls Losing His Beloved Wife

The Green Planet: David Attenborough hosts new BBC documentary

In his memoir Life on Air, the legendary natural historian Sir David Attenborough penned a poignant account of his wife's final moments.

He shared that on the day she passed away, she clung tightly to his hand, leaving him feeling "lost".

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David also candidly discussed his experience with grief and acknowledged the unwavering support he received from his daughter during his darkest hours.

The veteran broadcaster, famed for his awe-inspiring nature documentaries such as Planet Earth, Blue Planet and Dynasties, has opened up about how his work helped him cope with personal tragedy.

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In his memoir, he shared that immersing himself in the creation of his documentaries and exploring different worlds was a coping mechanism following his wife's death.

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David was wedded to Jane Elizabeth Ebsworth Oriel for 47 years until her untimely demise in 1997. The couple had two children, Robert and Susan, who are now both in their 50s.

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Jane tragically passed away after suffering a brain haemorrhage at the age of 70, leaving her husband and children heartbroken.

 

(Image: BBC/GETTY)

David Attenborough heartbreak as he recalls losing his beloved wife ‘The anchor had gone’ (Image: BBC)

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At the time of Jane falling ill, David was away filming in New Zealand for The Life of the Bird documentary, but he luckily made it back to the UK before she passed away.

He wrote about Jane’s final moments and revealed he found her in a coma, to which the doctor suggested he hold her hand.

He said: “She did and gave my hand a squeeze. the focus of my life, the anchor had gone…now I was lost.”

In 2009, he revealed: “I coped by working. It was the most fantastic luck that I was able to work.

David Attenborough heartbreak as he recalls losing his beloved wife ‘The anchor had gone’ (Image: BBC) Review, gossip and upcoming show releases plus selected offers and competition Subscribe Invalid email

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David Attenborough heartbreak as he recalls losing his beloved wife ‘The anchor had gone’ (Image: BBC)

“If my life had gone a different way - say I had gone into the oil business, which I once considered doing - I would have been out at 60.”

David still lives in his family home in Richmond Upon Thames, London, after Jane died over 24 years ago.

As he spoke about the grief, he told RadioTimes.co.uk: “You accommodate things… you deal with things. I'm quite used to solitude in the wilds, but, no, an empty house is not what I enjoy.

“But my daughter's there. In moments of grief – deep grief – the only consolation you can find is in the natural world."

 

David has been a firm household name for many years and has seen the most remarkable things in his career, going on to share them with the world.

Sir David is the only person to have won BAFTAs in TV categories in black and white, colour, high-definition, 3D and 4K resolutions, going on to be knighted in 1985.

His latest series, Mammals continues on BBC One this Sunday.

Speaking to the BBC, he said: "If we make the right decisions we can safeguard the future not just for our fellow mammals but for all life on Earth."

Watch Mammals on BBC iPlayer.

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