ISRAEL AT WAR - DAY 66

search

World’s oldest active journalist Walter Bingham turns 99 in Jerusalem

Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

Walter Bingham at a party for his 99th birthday in Jerusalem on January 5, 2023. (Lazar Berman/Times of Israel)
Walter Bingham at a party for his 99th birthday in Jerusalem on January 5, 2023. (Lazar Berman/Times of Israel)

Walter Bingham, said to be the world’s oldest active journalist, celebrates his 99th birthday in Jerusalem.

“When I meet someone who’s 30, I feel 30,” he tells The Times of Israel from his apartment. “When I meet someone who’s 18, I feel 18. When I meet someone who’s 50, I feel 40.”

Growing up as Wolfgang Billig in Karlsruhe, Germany, Bingham witnessed the rise of the Nazi party as a teenager, before fleeing to England on the Kindertransport. His father died in the Warsaw Ghetto. His mother survived, eventually joining him in England.

Bingham would go on to become a journalist, a pilot, and an actor, appearing in two Harry Potter films.

He made Aliyah in 2004 at the age of 80, and began hosting two radio shows in addition to writing opinion columns. Bingham has become a fixture of the media scene in Israel, instantly recognizable by his signature blue cap.

Bingham has a message for young people: “Don’t be jack of all trades and a master of none. Stick to something, and go to the end.”

Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering also lets you comment on articles and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.