Jane Goodall's Success and Achievements in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: October 2, 2025

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Jane Goodall. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Jane Goodall is a renowned English primatologist, zoologist, and anthropologist, considered the world's leading expert on chimpanzees. Beginning her research in 1960 at Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania, she has dedicated over 60 years to studying the social and family lives of wild chimpanzees. Her groundbreaking work revolutionized our understanding of these primates, demonstrating their complex behaviors and intelligence. Goodall is also a dedicated conservationist and advocate for animal welfare, working to protect chimpanzees and their habitats through the Jane Goodall Institute and her Roots & Shoots program.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1995: Appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire

In the 1995 New Year Honours, Jane Goodall was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to zoology.

April 2002: Appointed UN Messenger of Peace

In April 2002, Jane Goodall was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace by Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

April 2002: Named United Nations Messenger of Peace

In April 2002, Jane Goodall was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace, recognizing her contributions to conservation and animal welfare.

2003: Promoted to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire

In the 2003 Birthday Honours, Jane Goodall was promoted to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for services to the environment and conservation.

2004: Investiture to damehood at Buckingham Palace

In 2004, Jane Goodall's investiture to damehood was held at Buckingham Palace.

June 2006: Open University of Tanzania awards honorary degree

On 19 June 2006, the Open University of Tanzania awarded Jane Goodall an honorary Doctor of Science degree, recognizing her contributions to science and conservation.

2010: Roots & Shoots reaches over 100 countries

By 2010, the Roots & Shoots organisation had expanded to over 10,000 groups in over 100 countries.

2010: Benefit Concert at DAR Constitution Hall

In 2010, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds held a benefit concert at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., to commemorate "Gombe 50: a global celebration of Jane Goodall's pioneering chimpanzee research and inspiring vision for our future".

April 2014: Release of 'Seeds of Hope' after revisions

In April 2014, the book 'Seeds of Hope' by Jane Goodall and Gail Hudson was released after review, which included the addition of 57 pages of endnotes. The plagiarism accusations had led Goodall to revise the book after blaming the issues on her 'chaotic note taking'.

Seeds of Hope: Wisdom and Wonder from the World of Plants

Check it on Amazon

2015: USFWS classifies all chimpanzees as endangered

In 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced that all chimpanzees would be classified as endangered, accepting the petition supported by Jane Goodall.

August 2019: Honoured with a bronze sculpture

In August 2019, Jane Goodall was honored with a bronze sculpture in Midtown Manhattan for her contributions to science. She was featured alongside nine other women as part of the Statues for Equality project.

2019: Named one of Time's 100 most influential people

In 2019, Time magazine named Jane Goodall as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

2021: Received the Templeton Prize

In 2021, Jane Goodall received the Templeton Prize.

2022: Received the Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication

In 2022, Jane Goodall received the Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication for her long-term study of social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees.