Michael Bond

Date of Birth: January 13, 1926

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: June 27, 2017

Biography

Michael Bond was a celebrated British author, best known for creating the beloved character Paddington Bear. Born in Newbury, Berkshire, England, Bond began his career as a cameraman for the BBC before turning to writing. His first Paddington book, “A Bear Called Paddington,” was published in 1958 and introduced readers to the charming bear from Peru who ends up in London. Over the years, Bond wrote more than 20 books featuring Paddington, which have been translated into numerous languages and adapted into various films and television series. Beyond Paddington, Bond also wrote the “Monsieur Pamplemousse” series, a culinary detective series, and various other children’s books. His work earned him an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 1997 for his services to children’s literature.

5 Interesting Facts about Michael Bond

1. Michael Bond was inspired to create Paddington Bear after spotting a lonely teddy bear on a shelf in a London store on Christmas Eve in 1956.

2. Paddington Bear is known for his love of marmalade sandwiches, which he often keeps under his hat.

3. Bond’s Paddington books have sold more than 35 million copies worldwide.

4. The character of Paddington Bear has been translated into over 30 different languages.

5. Michael Bond’s Paddington books were adapted into a successful film series starting in 2014, with the first film grossing over $268 million worldwide.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Michael Bond

1. “Paddington is not particularly brave, but he does have a strong sense of right and wrong. That’s what makes him endearing.”

2. “I think Paddington embodies the spirit of kindness and understanding, which is why he continues to resonate with readers of all ages.”

3. “I wrote the first Paddington book in a little over a week, never dreaming it would become so popular.”

4. “Bears are very nice, as long as you get to know them first. At least, that’s what Paddington would say.”

5. “Children’s books are important because they shape how young minds see the world.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Michael Bond’s net worth was estimated to be around $30 million.

Children

Michael Bond had two children. His daughter, Karen Jankel, has been involved in managing his literary estate and continues to promote the Paddington Bear brand.