Great White Serial Killer: Sea of Blood (2024) star Paul De Gelder, 46, is a TV host, motivational speaker, shark conservationist, actor, and author.
Key Takeaways
- Australian Navy diver Paul De Gelder, 46, has hosted the Discovery Channel’s ”Shark Week” for over a decade.
- All of Paul’s siblings were in the Army force.
- Paul Gelder lives happily with his wife, Rhiannon, in Marina del Rey, California.
The documentary, produced by Shark Entertainment, premiered yesterday, July 8, 2024 (United States).
The 46-year-old Aussie Navy diver, Paul De Gelder, has hosted the Discovery Channel’s Shark Week for over a decade since June 2014.
Gelder is also a powerful motivational speaker at Big Bite Enterprises since 2011.
The 6-foot-tall Paul De completed his education at St. Edmunds College, Canberra, Australia.
Paul De Gelder’s Family Background
Paul De Gelder’s grandparents, on both maternal and paternal sides, served in World War I and World War II.
Paul’s father was a policeman in the 70s and 80s, and he raised a family of six with his hard-earned money.
Paul’s family was religious, and his mother influenced him to be raised in the Catholic Church.
Since he was a rebellious teenager, his father kicked him out of his home at the age of 17.
All of Paul’s siblings were in the Army force. His sister was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan as a combat medic, going on patrols outside the wire.
Paul De Gelder lives happily with his wife, Rhiannon, in Marina del Rey, California. The couple tied the knot on 9th June 6, 2023.
Career Trajectory of Paul De Gelder
Paul was destined to be an Army officer. In November 2000, at 23, he joined the Royal Australian Army (RAA) as an Army Paratrooper.
He served as an Army Paratrooper for more than four years and considered these periods the defining moments of his life. At RAA, he was also deployed as a United Nations peacekeeper.
In 2005, he attempted the Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diver selection process, and after a year of arduous training, he was accepted onto the Dive Team in April.
In February 2009, Paul was attacked from below by a 9ft bull shark while he was on a dive.
The blue shark bit down his right arm and tried to drag him down. Fortunately, that blue shark let him go.
His presence of mind was so good at that time that he kept his ripped arm out of the water and above his heart to slow the bleeding, and then eventually, he headed toward the safety boat.
He was battling with excruciating pain, but he was pulled out safely by the safety team. After witnessing a near-death experience, he spent two months in a hospital surrounded by amazing medical staff.
Today, Paul is fitted with state-of-the-art prosthetics and is back on the job. Paul has been praised as among the top 15 inspirational Australians and top 10 speakers.
Now, shark attack survivor Paul’s mission is to protect shark species, and he is involved in scientific conservation work.
He was among a group of shark attack survivors who joined the ”Pew Environment Group” in 2010 to press the United Nations for improved shark conservation measures.
In August 2012, he left full-time Navy Service after instructing Navy Divers for 3.5 years.
Furthermore, he has authored a few books: ”No Time for Fear,” ”Uncaged,” and ”Shark” to shed light on his experience and how he bounced back from adversity.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Paul de Gelder was a guest trainer on ”The Biggest Loser” and has accompanied Hollywood A-Lister Will Smith and UFC star Ronda Rousey on shark swims.
- Paul Gelder was a TV presenter of ”Fearless” on the National Geographic Channel.
- In January, Gelder and fellow Discovery channel presenters finished filming a special on Great Whites off the Mexico coast (pictured) for Shark Week 2024.
- He hosted behind-the-scenes footage for the 2016 Hollywood blockbuster ”The Shallows”
- The first documentary Paul did was ”60 Minutes” in Australia.
- He made his acting debut in FOXTEL’s ”Fighting Season” and then appeared in ”Shellshocked” in 2022.
