Sylvia Alice Earle was born in 1935. A marine biologist and explorer, she is known and respected by her peers as “The Queen of Deepness,” due to her passion for deep-sea exploration. In her career as an oceanographer, diver, and author; she has served as the first chief female scientist of the NOAA, was named Hero of the Planet by Time Magazine, and has been a National Geographic explorer-in-residence since 1998. She still holds the record for solo diving, reaching an incredible depth of 3280 feet.

Dr. Earle always wanted to go further and beyond any limits, pushing herself to dive deeper in order to better understand ocean life. Her colleagues consider her a most courageous woman who has never let the fear of the unknown inhibit her exploration.

Dr. Earle was also one of the first pioneers to use SCUBA gear.  As of 2020, she has spent over her life more than 7,000 hours under the waves.

Dr. Earle broke many diving records, identified various marine species, guided numerous underwater expeditions, and began an association with the National Geographic Society, where she became the first woman explorer in residence.

Today, at 85 years old, she still gets submerged by the beauty of the blue. She has said that as long as she is breathing, she will be diving.