Edmund Hillary

Sir Edmund Hillary was a New Zealand explorer and mountaineer. He was born in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1919. In 1953, he and Tenzing Norgay became the first people confirmed to reach the summit of Mount Everest. He became one of the most famous adventurers of the 1900s.

Early Life

Hillary was shy as a boy. He discovered a love for mountains during a school trip. He started climbing in the mountains of New Zealand. He became a beekeeper but spent every spare moment climbing.

Big Achievements

On May 29, 1953, Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the top of Mount Everest. It was the highest point on Earth. He later led expeditions to the South Pole and explored rivers in Asia. He spent much of his life building schools and hospitals in Nepal.

Fun Facts

• Hillary was a beekeeper before and after his climbing career.
• He was one of the first people to reach the South Pole overland since Scott in 1912.
• His face appears on the New Zealand five-dollar bill.

Did You Know?

When asked if he conquered Everest, Hillary said they did not conquer the mountain. He said, 'We conquered ourselves.' He spent decades helping the Sherpa people of Nepal by building over 30 schools and 2 hospitals.