Why is David Attenborough So Beloved?

I have an answer!

Hello!

Have you ever noticed that there are some people who are loved by so many?

I’m not talking about people who have a set fandom (e.g. certain actors, musicians or sports stars) but people who have another level of love and admiration — one that comes from a cross-section of people.

I’m talking about people who aren’t just loved — they’re beloved.

Like Dolly Parton in the United States…¹

Or Sir David Attenborough in the UK.

But if you’re not familiar with Sir David’s work², you may wonder why he is so beloved.

Some might say it’s because he has brought the beauty of the natural world to so many with his documentaries.

Or made people interested in science by sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm.

But I’ll add another reason:

Because when I wrote him a letter last month asking about his role with color TV, Wimbledon, and yellow tennis balls³, he wrote me back!⁴

And of course, after I received his letter, I bought a copy of his memoir, Life On Air. ⁵

When I wrote that letter, I didn’t know if I would get a response.

I certainly wasn’t expecting a handwritten response from the 98-year-old Attenborough.

But I have always been a fan of hand-written letters, and I figured that he was the only person who could answer this specific question I had, so why not ask?

And I cannot express to you the joy I felt when I opened this letter from Attenborough.

I’m told I looked something like this:

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There are some lovely people I’ve met writing this newsletter — people I didn’t know, but who I approached simply because I was curious.

People like Melissa Ludtke, Tim McClure, Dr. Sally Roesch Wagner and Ben Sisto, who were so generous sharing their time and their stories with me (and, in turn, Curious Minds readers).

I didn’t know if any of them would agree to speak to me.

One of the first people I approached for a conversation years ago said no — and not just “no thanks” but a more “direct” way of ensuring I received the rejection.⁶

It scared me off approaching anyone for a while.

But then I tried again — this time with journalist Melissa Ludtke.

She responded so warmly that it gave me the courage to continue asking.

And her story is fascinating.⁷

And that led me to wonderful conversations with others, like Tim and Sally and Ben.

I even got to meet Tim when I was in Texas (not messing with it, obviously) earlier this year.

Thank you Sally, Tim, Melissa and Ben for sharing your stories with me!

So the point I want to leave you with today is that if there is something you’re curious about, I hope you’ll follow your curiosity.

And if you have a question for someone, ASK IT.

You never know what answer you might get.

PS — Never underestimate the power of a polite hand-written letter!)

I’m taking a short writing break, but will be back in a few weeks with more curious stories.

Until then, Stay Curious!

-Beth

This is me (really writing and drinking coffee).

1. Dolly is probably beloved internationally (or should be).

2. I’m genuinely curious how much profile Sir David has outside of the UK and Commonwealth countries.

3. This was a story I investigated in Curious Minds in July.

4. I did include a self-addressed stamped envelope to make it easier.

5. And I am still investigating the story of yellow tennis balls!

6. She was curt. And she is not famous. I don’t know if I reached her on the wrong day, but her response was… surprising (and disappointing).

7. Melissa has a new book out called “Locker Room Talk” that I have pre-ordered.