Bear Grylls Opens Up About Survival Vessel and Military Keepsake
In a candid new interview, renowned adventurer and television personality Bear Grylls has shared intriguing details about his personal life, including his most treasured possession and a remarkable survival investment. The 51-year-old former soldier, who served in the 21 SAS regiment, revealed that his old SAS beret holds immense sentimental value, kept on his shelf for when he needs to summon the "Who Dares Wins" spirit that defined his military career.
Apocalypse-Proof Escape Vessel and Personal Revelations
Grylls disclosed that aside from property, the most expensive item he has purchased is what he describes as an "apocalypse escape vessel" – a steel hull, ice-capable sailing boat designed for his entire family. The vessel features almost zero electronics, relying instead on manual operation throughout, and comes armed with an array of weaponry for protection. This revelation underscores Grylls' commitment to preparedness and survival, themes that have defined his public persona through shows like Man vs Wild and Running Wild With Bear Grylls.
The adventurer, who was born in Northern Ireland and now divides his time between London, north Wales, and Switzerland, also shared several personal anecdotes and preferences. When asked about his celebrity crush, Grylls named the Princess of Wales, while describing his most unappealing habit as picking his toenails and occasionally eating them. He identified his late father as what he would bring back from extinction if given the chance, highlighting the personal loss that continues to affect him.
Philosophical Insights and Professional Reflections
Grylls offered philosophical perspectives throughout the interview, stating that his greatest fear isn't large dangers but rather "small things" like social situations, while maintaining that he has "no big fears" due to his faith. He described love as feeling like "light of the Almighty in my heart" and expressed his desire to be remembered as someone who "knew where life was to be found."
When reflecting on his career, Grylls noted that he wanted to be "a soldier and adventure guy" when growing up, a path he successfully followed through his SAS service and subsequent television work. His new series, Wild Reckoning, is set to premiere on BBC One next month, adding to his extensive portfolio that includes Emmy and Bafta-winning productions. Grylls also revealed a police caution from the Civil Aviation Authority for illegal Base jumping as his closest brush with the law, demonstrating that his adventurous spirit has occasionally tested legal boundaries.
The interview provides a multifaceted portrait of Grylls as not just a survival expert but as a family man, faith-driven individual, and someone who values resilience, courage, and kindness as the legacy he hopes to leave for his three sons. His combination of practical survival preparations like the apocalypse boat with emotional attachments to items like his SAS beret reveals the complex intersection of preparedness, memory, and identity that defines his approach to life's challenges.
