Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to climb the Everest along with Tenzing Sherpa, has died aged 88, according New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark. He was the first man to climb the highest peak (8,850m) on 29 May 1953. After the ascent, he famously greeted another member of the British expedition group with the words: “Well, George, we’ve knocked the bastard off.”

Hillary, a beekeeper who served during World War II in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, he began climbing from high school days. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II upon hi return to England and in 2003, he was made an honorary citizen of Nepal on 50th anniversary or his historic climb.

"Human life is far more important than just getting to the top of a mountain," he said at the time. "I think the whole attitude toward climbing Mount Everest has become rather horrifying -- the people just want to get to the top."

In his later years, Hillary became a strong supporter of environmental causes and his Himalayan Trust has helped build hospitals, clinics, bridges, airstrips and nearly 30 schools to improve the lives of Nepal’s Sherpas.