Born: 20 July 1919 · Died: 11 January 2008 · Age: 88
New Zealand mountaineer who with Tenzing Norgay made the first confirmed ascent of Mount Everest in 1953
Did you know?In addition to his mountaineering exploits, he was a professional beekeeper in New Zealand for many years.
Quick facts
Date of birth20 July 1919
Date of death11 January 2008
Age at death88
Cause of deathMyocardial infarction
NationalityNew Zealander
BirthplaceAuckland, New Zealand
Occupationexplorer, philanthropist, beekeeper
Editor's Take:
Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first people known to stand on top of Mount Everest. Hillary was a beekeeper from New Zealand who loved climbing. The pair reached the summit on 29 May 1953. The news reached Britain on the morning of the Queen's coronation. Hillary later drove a tractor to the South Pole. He spent decades building schools and hospitals for the Sherpa people through his Himalayan Trust. New Zealand put him on its $5 note.
Key Milestones
1953: Everest – first ascent
1953: Knighthood – Sir Edmund
1958: South Pole by tractor
1960: Himalayan Trust – founded
Sir Edmund Percival Hillary (20 July 1919 – 11 January 2008) was a New Zealand mountaineer, explorer, and philanthropist. On 29 May 1953, he and Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers confirmed to have reached the summit of Mount Everest.
Edmund Hillary's birthday is July 20. He was born on July 20, 1919 in Auckland, New Zealand.
How old was Edmund Hillary when he died?
Edmund Hillary died on January 11, 2008, aged 88.
Who shares a birthday with Edmund Hillary?
Famous people who share Edmund Hillary's July 20 birthday include Gregor Mendel, Carlos Alazraqui, Gisele Bündchen, Erik Axel Karlfeldt and Jean Baudrillard.
