Sir David Attenborough is one of those rare humans who can turn a simple leaf rustling in the wind into a story that holds your breath hostage for a long time. For over seven decades, he’s been guiding audiences through the wonders of nature, from the frozen corners of the Arctic to the buzzing life in a tropical forest. But while millions know his voice as the soundtrack of nature documentaries, there’s a lot more to this living legend than penguins and planet-saving scripts.

He’s been charming audiences well into his 90s and isn’t showing signs of slowing down—not bad for someone who technically reached retirement age over 30 years ago. But behind that calm, wise tone is a man with some surprising stories. Let’s get to know the lesser-known side of Attenborough with these ten little-known facts.

10. Believe it or not, the legendary David...