Sir Edmund Hillary, first man to climb Mount Everest, dies aged 88

 Add your view

Sir Edmund Hillary, the man who conquered Mount Everest, has died, the New Zealand government said.

The 88-year-old shot to fame when he scaled the world's highest mountain along with Tenzing Norgay in 1953, just days before the coronation of Elizabeth II.

After returning from the summit, the famously matter-of-fact climber greeted a fellow expedition member with the words: "Well, George, we've knocked the bastard off."

Scroll down for more...

Great loss: Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to climb Mount Everest, has died at the age of 88

The New Zealander's health had reportedly been in decline since April, after he suffered a fall while in Nepal.

Helen Clark, New Zealand prime minister, said his passing was a profound loss.

She added that Sir Edmund, who preferred to be called "Ed", was the best-known New Zealander to have lived.

"Sir Ed described himself as an average New Zealander with modest abilities. In reality, he was a colossus.

Scroll down for more...

First men on Everest: Edmund Hillary with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay after descending from the summit in 1953

"He was a heroic figure who not only 'knocked off' Everest but lived a life of determination, humility and generosity," she said.

"Most of all, he was a quintessential Kiwi. He was ours - from his craggy appearance and laconic style to his directness and honesty.

"All New Zealanders will deeply mourn his passing."

After climbing the 8,850m peak of Everest, Sir Edmund spent much of his life supporting humanitarian work among the Sherpas, and led expeditions to the South Pole and the source of the Yangtze River.

Scroll down for more...

Everest in their sights: Edmund Hillary, left, Colonel John Hunt, and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay take a last look at Mount Everest before leaving Kathmandu

In 1992, Sir Edmund became the first living New Zealander to feature on a banknote, when his well-known craggy face graced the new $5 bill.

Hillary's life was marked by grand achievements, high adventure, discovery, excitement - and by his personal humility.

He only admitted being the first man atop Everest after the death of climbing companion Norgay.

The gangling New Zealander took his fame in his stride, considering himself just an ordinary beekeeper.

British adventurer and environmentalist Pen Hadow said Sir Edmund's death "closes one of the great chapters of planetary exploration".

"He was physically and metaphorically at the pinnacle of high adventure," said the Dartmoor-based Arctic and Antarctic explorer.

Because of Sir Edmund's conquest of Everest, "millions of people will know him and will be affected in some way by his passing".

Mr Hadow said Sir Edmund was one of three men - together with sailor Sir Francis Chichester and underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau - who was an inspiration to him.

Hillary is survived by his wife Lady June Hillary and two children, Peter and Sarah.

 

What's on today   What's on tomorrow

Receive our newsletter