Sylvia Earle

Oceanographer

Birthday August 30, 1935

Birth Sign Virgo

Birthplace Gibbstown, NJ

Age 89 years old

#75,703 Most Popular

About

Award-winning oceanographer and lecturer who became a National Geographic explorer-in-residence in 1998. She is also considered an expert on the impact of oil spills and has been called upon to lead several research teams during various spills.

Before Fame

She earned a bachelor of science degree from Florida State University in 1955 and later earned a master of science and doctorate of philosophy degree from Duke University.

Trivia

In 1998, Time Magazine named her its first Hero for the Planet.

Family Life

She tied the Deep Rover depth record set by Graham Hawkes, whom she was married to from 1986 until 1992. She founded the Deep Ocean Exploration and Research, which her daughter Elizabeth took over. She also had a son named John.

Associated With

In 1970, she led the first team of female aquanauts during the Tektite Project. Sally Ride was the first female astronaut to enter low earth orbit.