Ed Stafford Biography
Ed Stafford is a English television presenter, explorer, and survivalist who holds the Guinness World Record for being the first man ever to walk the entire length of the Amazon River. Stafford now hosts shows on the Discovery Channel and Channel 4 with him focusing on his new television series “Into The Jungle,” that first aired on Channel 4 in September 24, 2024.
How old is Ed Stafford?
Stafford is 49 years old as of 2024, he was born on December 26, 1975 in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England. He celebrates his birthday on December 26 every year.
Real Name: Edward James Stafford
Age: 49 years old as of 2025
Date of Birth: December 26, 1975
Birth sign: Capricorn
Birth Place: Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England
Known for: Explorer and survivalist
Ed Stafford’s Height
Stafford has an approximate height of 5 feet and 7 inches, equal to 170.18 cm.
Ed Stafford’s Early Life and Education
Stafford was born on December 26, 1975 in Peterborough, England. He was then adopted by Barbara and Jeremiah Stafford, who were both solicitors in Leicestershire. It is in Leicestershire where Stafford was raised since he was still a baby at the time he was adopted. Stafford began his education at Uppingham School in Rutland, England. He was also a cub and a scout in Leicestershire. He later went on to join Newcastle University to pursue his higher education. Ed graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography.
Ed Stafford Wife/Children
Stafford is married to his wife Laura Bingham who is also an explorer and adventurer. The two got married on September 3, 2016. Together, they have four children: Ranulph James Stafford, who is their firstborn child, born in June 2017, twin daughters namely Mary Elizabeth and Camilla Claire, born on August 26, 2020, and their lastborn daughter who was born on April 3, 2024. The family currently resides in Costa Rica.
Ed Stafford Family
Stafford began a search for his biological parents, after his Amazon adventure. He managed to track them with the help of his sister, Janie. From his biological family, he has two younger brothers.
Career Background
Stafford began his career as a military when he joined the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in September 1998. After one year of training, he was commissioned in the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment of the British Army as a second lieutenant on August 7, 1999. He was then granted seniority in the rank of subaltern from 10 August 1999 and worked under the service number 550823. While in the British Army, he served a tour of duty in Northern Ireland in 2000. In February 8, 2002, Stafford was then promoted to the rank of a captain. Stafford later made his exit from the British Army on August 7, 2002.
After making his exit from the British Army, Stafford embarked on his exploration and survival career. In 2008, Stafford embarked on his most memorable journey to walk through the entire length of the Amazon. He began his journey on April 2, 2008, with his friend, Luke Collyer, who later on left. However, Stafford continued with the journey with his guide, Gadiel “Cho” Sánchez Rivera. In August 9, 2010, Stafford together with his guide, finished their walk through the entire length of the Amazon River, a journey that took them 860 days.
This achievement earned him a Guinness World Record and was named the first man to ever walk through the entire length of the Amazon River. This achievement that was faced with numerous challenges was documented on Channel 5 television with the TV series titled “Walking the Amazon”. During his journey, Stafford ran out of money and he had to start making YouTube videos featuring PayPal links asking viewers for money. His journey was faced with several challenges including being held at gunpoint and by bow and arrow, and was also arrested and accused for drug smuggling and murder. This happened after he accidently arrived in an isolated community, the same day members from the community had gone missing.
Stafford has received multiple accolades through his career including the title of European Adventurer of the Year in 2011 and the Mungo Park Medal for his contributions to geographical knowledge through exploration.
TV Shows
After his Amazon adventure, Stafford transitioned into television career, where he started hosting several programs and shows. He is well known for hosting Naked and Marooned, which was aired on Discovery Channel in the UK in March 2013 and Naked Castaway, which was aired in the USA in April of the same year. He has also hosted Into the Unknown, which follows Stafford as he travels to remote locations to investigate strange and inexplicable markings and First Man Out, which premiered in 2019.
Ed Stafford’s NetWorth
Stafford has an estimated net worth of $1 million to $5 million, reflecting his successful career. His foremost source of income is mainly associated with working as an explorer and TV personality.
Social Media
Stafford frequently uses social media sites where he interact and connect with his followers by sharing information about his professional and personal encounters. Some of his platforms include Youtube @edstaffordtv with more than 59.2k followers, Instagram @ed_stafford with more than 345k followers, and Facebook @Ed Stafford with more than 269k followers.