Watch: Templeton Prize Winner Dr. Jane Goodall In Her Own Words

In case you missed it, legendary scientist and conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall won the 2021 Templeton Prize this week. She joins the ranks of Templeton Prize Laureates including Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama, and many more, in honor of her extraordinary career, which has been rooted in and sustained by her exceptional scientific and spiritual curiosity. 

We sat down with Dr. Goodall recently to talk about her life, her work, her spiritual journey, and everything that winning the Templeton Prize means. You can watch a full video of her accepting the Templeton Prize from Heather Templeton Dill, and another of her reflecting on living a life of purpose, but below are a few fun highlights from our conversations with the one-of-a-kind Dr. Jane Goodall: 

What was the first book you ever owned? 

Dr. Goodall told us about the very first book she was given when she was 8, which just may have started her on a life journey to Africa.

David Graybeard: A Most Special Chimpanzee

We asked Dr. Goodall if she had a favorite chimpanzee from her years in Africa and she told us about David Greybeard, who helped create a scientific revolution in our understanding of animal culture. 

What’s inside Dr. Goodall’s ‘Bible Box’

We were lucky enough to have Dr. Goodall show us a Bible Box that she made for her grandmother when she was 11, with hand-written scrolls with quotes from the scripture. 

Can you talk like a chimpanzee as well as Dr. Goodall? 

How do Chimpanzees greet each other? Watch and find out. 

Who is…Mr. H?

He’s been around the world with Dr. Goodall to over 65 countries and been touched by over two million people. 

The Chatham Island Black Robin, a symbol of hope 

Dr. Goodall told us of one her very favorite possessions, two feathers from a nearly-extinct, but since recovered, species of bird 

Keep exploring

• Watch Dr. Goodall’s beautiful reflection on the “spiritual force” she discovered in the forests of Africa
• Sign up for an invite to celebrate (virtually) with Dr. Jane
• Watch her accept the Prize from Heather Templeton Dill
• Read about Dr. Goodall’s enormous impact over a 60-year career — and see amazing photos of her time with primates
• Meet the remarkable panel of judges of the 2021 Templeton Prize
• Watch videos showcasing past laureates of the “world’s most interesting prize”
• Read the announcement of the $1.5 million award, the single largest prize of her career
• Read Dr. Jane Goodall’s acceptance address reflecting on ‘how little we know, how eager to learn’
• Learn from Dr. Jane how to hoot like a chimpanzee