Edmund Hillary

New Zealand mountaineer and philanthropist (1919–2008)

Source-basedBreakout

Lived 1919–2008, aged 89New Zealand

New Zealand Business ProfessionalsScientist

Fame51.9
Momentum21.7
New Zealand rank#2
Business Professionals rank#25
Wikipedia81.8K

Wikipedia
121 languages
Cross-language footprint
Rank in New Zealand
#2
Business Professionals
Era
1919–2008
Aged 89

Summary

Updated 2026-05-29

Reached Everest's summit in 1953 alongside Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, cementing himself as one of history's most visible mountaineers. Hillary spent decades after turning that peak into a launchpad for exploration, philanthropy, and diplomatic work across South Asia.

Biography

About

Sir Edmund Percival Hillary was a New Zealand mountaineer, explorer, and philanthropist. On 29 May 1953, Hillary and Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers confirmed to have reached the summit of Mount Everest. They were part of the ninth British expedition to Everest, which was led by John Hunt. From 1985 to 1988, he served as New Zealand's High Commissioner to India and Bangladesh and concurrently as Ambassador to Nepal.

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