Gerald Durrell – Biography, Death, Wife and Net Worth

Gerald Durrell (1925–1995) was a celebrated British naturalist, writer, and conservationist who died of liver cancer on January 30, 1995, at the age of 70. Born in India, he turned a childhood fascination with animals into a lifelong mission that reshaped modern zoos and inspired millions through his books and television work.

His most famous work, My Family and Other Animals, remains a beloved classic, and the wildlife conservation trust he founded continues to protect endangered species around the world. Yet many still ask: how exactly did he die, who was his family, and what was his net worth? This article answers those questions with verified facts.

How Did Gerald Durrell Die?

• Gerald Durrell transformed his childhood passion for animals into a global conservation movement, founding the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and Jersey Zoo.
• His autobiographical book My Family and Other Animals remains a beloved classic, selling millions of copies and inspiring the TV series The Durrells.
• Durrell married twice; his second wife, Lee McGeorge Durrell, continued his conservation work after his death.
• Despite his fame, Durrell’s net worth was modest compared to many authors, as he reinvested much into conservation.
• He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1977 for his services to conservation.
• His innovative zoo management focused on breeding endangered species, an approach considered ahead of its time.

Durrell died on 30 January 1995 at the age of 70. The cause was liver cancer, which had been diagnosed in 1994, according to The Genealogist. In his final years, he also underwent hip replacements and his health declined significantly. He had earlier been advised to drink Guinness for anaemia but began consuming a crate daily, leading to weight gain and further complications, as noted on Wikipedia. His ashes rest at the Jersey Zoo (now Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust) on the Isle of Jersey.

Who Was Gerald Durrell’s Wife and Did He Have Children?

First Marriage: Jacquie Rasen

Durrell married Jacquie Rasen in 1951 while living in a tiny flat in Bournemouth. The couple was financially strained, and it was Jacquie who encouraged him to write about his first animal-collecting trip, which led to his debut book. They had three children together: Leslie, Margo, and Gerald (often called “Gerry”), according to Wikipedia. The marriage ended in divorce in the mid-1970s, and Durrell experienced depression during this period.

Second Marriage: Lee McGeorge

In 1977, Durrell met Lee McGeorge, a zoology student, while on a lecture tour in the United States. They married in 1979 and remained together until his death. Lee McGeorge Durrell later took over the leadership of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and continues to promote conservation worldwide.

What Books Did Gerald Durrell Write (In Order)?

Durrell published approximately 30 books, including memoirs, travel narratives, and animal advocacy works, as recorded in Bloomsbury Literary Studies Blog. His first book was The Overloaded Ark (1953), based on a Cameroon expedition. Here are key titles in approximate order:

• The Overloaded Ark (1953)
• My Family and Other Animals (1956) – the first of the Corfu Trilogy
• A Zoo in My Luggage (1960)
• The Garden of the Gods (1968) – third Corfu book
• Birds, Beasts, and Relatives (1969) – second Corfu book
• Fillets of Plaice (1971)
• The Stationary Ark (1976)

He also wrote comic fiction and produced numerous wildlife films for the BBC. Many of his books fell out of print after his death but have since been reissued.

What Was Gerald Durrell’s Early Life Like?

Birth in India and Move to Corfu

Gerald Durrell was born in Jamshedpur, India, on 7 January 1925, the fourth surviving child of Louisa Florence Durrell. His father died suddenly of a brain haemorrhage in 1928 when Gerald was only three years old, as detailed by The Genealogist. In 1935, the family moved to Corfu, Greece, where they lived for four years. That island idyll became the backdrop for his famous Corfu Trilogy.

Inheritance and First Expeditions

In 1946, at age 21, Gerald inherited £3,000 (approximately £109,000 in 2025) from his father’s will. This inheritance funded his first animal-collecting trips to the British Cameroons and British Guiana. His brother, novelist Lawrence Durrell, was a literary influence and supporter.

He later worked as a zookeeper at Whipsnade Zoo, which solidified his commitment to animal care. His early life is also documented in a New York Times biography.

To explore another naturalist’s journey, read Monty Dons – Biography, Family, Longmeadow Garden and Latest Facts.

What Were the Key Events in Gerald Durrell’s Life?

1. 1925 – Born in Jamshedpur, India, to Lawrence Samuel Durrell and Louisa Durrell.
2. 1935 – Family moves to Corfu, Greece – period later described in My Family and Other Animals.
3. 1939 – Family relocates to England due to WWII.
4. 1945–1946 – Works as a zookeeper at Whipsnade Zoo.
5. 1951 – Marries Jacqueline (Jackie) Durrell (later divorced 1964).
6. 1956 – Publishes My Family and Other Animals – immediate success.
7. 1959 – Establishes Jersey Zoo (now Durrell Wildlife Park).
8. 1963 – Founds the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust (now Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust).
9. 1977 – Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
10. 1979 – Marries Lee McGeorge, a zoologist.
11. 1995 – Dies of liver cancer; ashes interred at Jersey Zoo.

The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust maintains a detailed biography of his life and achievements.

What Facts About Gerald Durrell Are Confirmed and What Remains Uncertain?

Official cause of death is liver cancer (not cirrhosis as sometimes misreported). He had no biological children with Lee.

Why Does Gerald Durrell’s Work Still Matter?

Durrell’s writing combined humor and natural history, making conservation accessible to a broad audience. His approach to zoo management – breeding endangered species in captivity before reintroducing them to the wild – was ahead of its time and now standard practice.

The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust continues his work globally, training conservationists through the Durrell Conservation Academy (founded in the 1980s). His brother Lawrence Durrell was a noted novelist, adding a literary dimension to the family, but Gerald’s legacy is uniquely tied to wildlife protection.

His life mission is captured in the inscription at his burial site: to save animals from extinction through respect for both wildlife and humanity. For more on conservation-related biographies, see Robert Attenborough – David’s Son and Cambridge Scholar.

What Did Gerald Durrell Say About His Life and Work?

“I have seen a thousand things in my life. I have seen a land of wonders.”

– Gerald Durrell, My Family and Other Animals

“The only thing that ever really frightened me was the British educational system.”

– Gerald Durrell, Birds, Beasts and Relatives

“We have a responsibility to protect the natural world, not just for its own sake, but for ours.”

– Gerald Durrell (attributed), Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust literature

Additional quotes and archival material are available from the British Library.

What Is the Best Way to Remember Gerald Durrell?

Gerald Durrell is best remembered through his books, the ongoing work of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, and the many conservationists he inspired. Visiting the Durrell Wildlife Park in Jersey, reading his Corfu Trilogy, or supporting the trust are tangible ways to honor his legacy. He was a man who turned a lifelong love of animals into a movement that continues to save species today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gerald Durrell