The Hillary family
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The Hillary name has always stood for more than a single summit.
It represents a way of living – bold in pursuit, generous in spirit, and unwavering in the belief that true achievement is only meaningful when it lifts others.
From Sir Ed’s legendary ascent of Everest alongside Tenzing Norgay, to his decades of work building schools and hospitals in Nepal, the Hillary family has never stopped climbing. Each generation has carried that same restless curiosity, compassion, and courage into their own lives – finding their Everest, scaling their Hillary Step, and leaving the world a little better for it.
This is their story. And it’s still being written
Mountaineer, explorer, author, diplomat, and philanthropist
Sir Edmund Hillary lived one of the most extraordinary lives of the 20th century. Known simply as Ed to those who loved him, he became the first person to summit Mt. Everest alongside his climbing partner Tenzing Norgay on 29 May 1953, proving that boldness and preparation could conquer even the world’s greatest peaks. But for Sir Ed, Everest was never the destination – it was the beginning. In 1958 he pioneered a new route across Antarctica to reach the South Pole, and led numerous Himalayan expeditions pushing the boundaries of human endurance and discovery. He built 42 schools and hospitals for the people of the Mt. Everest region; an achievement he regarded as his greatest – because he always believed that true success must lift others up.
He contributed to the establishment of Sagarmatha National Park, supported reforestation programs at the base of Mt. Everest, and championed conservation initiatives across Nepal, driven by his deep belief that nature must be protected for future generations to explore and cherish.
The Everest
Connection
Everest and Hillary: the mountain and the family are forever linked. On the 29th May, 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay made the historic first ascent of the highest mountain on earth, Mt Everest. Peter Hillary was born 18 months later.
Peter grew up climbing mountains and participating in many of his father’s expeditions and projects – travelling to the North Pole, up the Ganges River in India, climbing in the Himalayas, around the United States, and helping the mountain people of Nepal.
Peter’s first summit of Everest in 1990 meant the Hillarys became the “first family” of Himalayan mountaineering with two generations of Everest climbers. They are also the first two generations of one family to have each established new routes across Antarctica to the South Pole. Peter reached the South Pole in 1999, and climbed Mt Everest for the second time in 2002 in celebration of his father’s historic first ascent with Tenzing Norgay. The expedition is the subject of the compelling National Geographic documentary Everest: 50 Years on the Mountain.
In 2008, Peter completed the Seven Summits, the highest mountain on each of the seven continents.
Mountaineer, explorer, author, diplomat, and philanthropist
Sir Edmund Hillary lived one of the most extraordinary lives of the 20th century. Known simply as Ed to those who loved him, he became the first person to summit Mt. Everest alongside his climbing partner Tenzing Norgay on 29 May 1953, proving that boldness and preparation could conquer even the world’s greatest peaks. But for Sir Ed, Everest was never the destination – it was the beginning. In 1958 he pioneered a new route across Antarctica to reach the South Pole, and led numerous Himalayan expeditions pushing the boundaries of human endurance and discovery. He built 42 schools and hospitals for the people of the Mt. Everest region; an achievement he regarded as his greatest – because he always believed that true success must lift others up.
He contributed to the establishment of Sagarmatha National Park, supported reforestation programs at the base of Mt. Everest, and championed conservation initiatives across Nepal, driven by his deep belief that nature must be protected for future generations to explore and cherish.
Mountaineer, explorer, author, diplomat, and philanthropist
Sir Edmund Hillary lived one of the most extraordinary lives of the 20th century. Known simply as Ed to those who loved him, he became the first person to summit Mt. Everest alongside his climbing partner Tenzing Norgay on 29 May 1953, proving that boldness and preparation could conquer even the world’s greatest peaks. But for Sir Ed, Everest was never the destination – it was the beginning. In 1958 he pioneered a new route across Antarctica to reach the South Pole, and led numerous Himalayan expeditions pushing the boundaries of human endurance and discovery. He built 42 schools and hospitals for the people of the Mt. Everest region; an achievement he regarded as his greatest – because he always believed that true success must lift others up.
He contributed to the establishment of Sagarmatha National Park, supported reforestation programs at the base of Mt. Everest, and championed conservation initiatives across Nepal, driven by his deep belief that nature must be protected for future generations to explore and cherish.
Mountaineer, explorer, author, diplomat, and philanthropist
Sir Edmund Hillary lived one of the most extraordinary lives of the 20th century. Known simply as Ed to those who loved him, he became the first person to summit Mt. Everest alongside his climbing partner Tenzing Norgay on 29 May 1953, proving that boldness and preparation could conquer even the world’s greatest peaks. But for Sir Ed, Everest was never the destination – it was the beginning. In 1958 he pioneered a new route across Antarctica to reach the South Pole, and led numerous Himalayan expeditions pushing the boundaries of human endurance and discovery. He built 42 schools and hospitals for the people of the Mt. Everest region; an achievement he regarded as his greatest – because he always believed that true success must lift others up.
He contributed to the establishment of Sagarmatha National Park, supported reforestation programs at the base of Mt. Everest, and championed conservation initiatives across Nepal, driven by his deep belief that nature must be protected for future generations to explore and cherish.
Mountaineer, explorer, author, diplomat, and philanthropist
Sir Edmund Hillary lived one of the most extraordinary lives of the 20th century. Known simply as Ed to those who loved him, he became the first person to summit Mt. Everest alongside his climbing partner Tenzing Norgay on 29 May 1953, proving that boldness and preparation could conquer even the world’s greatest peaks. But for Sir Ed, Everest was never the destination – it was the beginning. In 1958 he pioneered a new route across Antarctica to reach the South Pole, and led numerous Himalayan expeditions pushing the boundaries of human endurance and discovery. He built 42 schools and hospitals for the people of the Mt. Everest region; an achievement he regarded as his greatest – because he always believed that true success must lift others up.
He contributed to the establishment of Sagarmatha National Park, supported reforestation programs at the base of Mt. Everest, and championed conservation initiatives across Nepal, driven by his deep belief that nature must be protected for future generations to explore and cherish.
May 1900, 9999m
Philanthropy
From building schools, hospitals, and medical clinics in the Mt. Everest region, to supporting the Sherpa communities who made every climb possible, the Hillary family has remained deeply committed to the people and places that matter most.
Their work spans education, healthcare, and community development -carried out not from a distance, but with hands-on dedication and enduring relationships built over generations.
May 1900, 9999m
Presentations
Through keynote presentations, talks, and live events, the family brings audiences face to face with the lessons of a life lived boldly. From the extraordinary challenge of high-altitude climbing to the everyday courage it takes to lead, adapt, and persevere, their presentations connect the world of exploration to the challenges we all face -in business, in community, and in life.
May 1900, 9999m
Adventure & Experiences
The Hillary family has always been drawn to wild places. Not because they needed to prove something, but because they genuinely love the outdoors -the challenge of it, the beauty of it, and the way it has a knack for putting everything else into perspective. From Antarctica to the Himalaya, from the ocean to the mountains, the family has spent generations exploring some of the most remarkable corners of the earth. Sometimes the conditions have been brutal. Sometimes things haven’t gone to plan. But that’s the nature of adventure -and it’s precisely what makes it worthwhile
May 1900, 9999m
Books & Films
The Hillary family has always understood that the best adventures deserve to be shared. Long before social media and instant storytelling, they were committed to capturing their experiences -in writing, on film, and in conversation -not to celebrate themselves, but to bring others along for the journey. From Sir Ed’s own books and documentaries about his expeditions and humanitarian work in the Himalayas, to films that have brought the drama and humanity of Everest to audiences around the world, the family has built a rich body of storytelling that goes far beyond the mountain. These are stories about courage, friendship, loss, purpose, and the quiet determination it takes to keep going when things get hard.
Book
a speaker
Through keynote presentations, talks, and live events, the family brings audiences face to face with the lessons of a life lived boldly.
From the extraordinary challenge of high-altitude climbing to the everyday courage it takes to lead, adapt, and persevere, their presentations connect the world of exploration to the challenges we all face -in business, in community, and in life. These are real stories, told by people who have lived them – weaving humour and heart with practical wisdom on goal-setting, resilience, navigating uncertainty, and the power of never being afraid to stand alone.
Whether addressing a boardroom or a stadium, the message is the same: your Everest is out there. And the climb is worth it. Interested in having a member of the Hillary family speak at your next event?
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