Stephen Hawking

Date of Birth: January 8, 1942

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: March 14, 2018

Biography

Stephen William Hawking was an English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author who made groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of black holes, quantum mechanics, and the nature of the universe. Born on January 8, 1942, in Oxford, England, Hawking exhibited an early aptitude for science and mathematics. He pursued his undergraduate studies at University College, Oxford, and later earned his Ph.D. from Trinity Hall, Cambridge. Diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the age of 21, Hawking was given only a few years to live. Defying medical expectations, he continued to work and communicate via a speech-generating device, authoring numerous scientific papers and popular science books. His best-known work, “A Brief History of Time,” became an international bestseller and brought complex scientific concepts to a general audience. Hawking held the position of Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge from 1979 to 2009. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society and a recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Stephen Hawking passed away on March 14, 2018, in Cambridge, England, leaving behind a lasting legacy in both science and popular culture.

5 Interesting Facts about Stephen Hawking

1. Stephen Hawking was born on the 300th anniversary of Galileo’s death.

2. He co-authored a series of children’s books with his daughter, Lucy Hawking.

3. Despite his severe physical limitations, he traveled extensively and visited every continent, including Antarctica.

4. Hawking made a guest appearance on the television show “The Big Bang Theory.”

5. His speech-generating device had an American accent, which he chose to keep despite being British.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Stephen Hawking

1. “Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.”

2. “The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.”

3. “Life would be tragic if it weren’t funny.”

4. “We are all different, but we share the same human spirit. Perhaps it’s human nature that we adapt and survive.”

5. “Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the time of his death, Stephen Hawking’s net worth was estimated to be around $20 million.

Children

Stephen Hawking had three children with his first wife, Jane Wilde Hawking: Robert Hawking (born 1967), Lucy Hawking (born 1970), and Timothy Hawking (born 1979).