The Templeton Prize Team announced that Dr. Jane Goodall, legendary scientist, conservationist, and activist, is the winner of the 2021 Templeton Prize.
Dr. Goodall is known worldwide for her groundbreaking scientific work studying chimpanzee society, which began in Africa in 1960. Unlike the many well-deserved accolades she has received for that work, the Templeton Prize is now proud to honor Dr. Goodall’s lifelong scientific and spiritual curiosity, and unrelenting effort to help humanity understand the interconnectedness of the natural world. At $1.5 million, it is the largest single award she has received in her illustrious career.
“We are delighted and honored to award Dr. Jane Goodall this year, as her achievements go beyond the traditional parameters of scientific research to define our perception of what it means to be human,” said Heather Templeton Dill, president of the John Templeton Foundation. “Her discoveries have profoundly altered the world’s view of animal intelligence and enriched our understanding of humanity in a way that is both humbling and exalting. Dr. Goodall’s work exemplifies the humility, curiosity and discovery that my grandfather, Sir John Templeton, spoke about during his life, and which he wished to honor with this award.”
“I still haven’t really recovered from the shock of being told I was getting this year’s Templeton Prize,” Dr. Goodall told us.
►Read more and watch a video of Dr. Goodall sitting down (virtually) with Heather Templeton Dill to accept the 2021 Templeton Prize, and talk about her life’s work and what winning the Prize will mean.