Who Is Guy Burgess? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Guy Burgess was born on April 16, 1911, and is widely known for his role as a British diplomat and Soviet agent during the Cold War. He was a member of the infamous Cambridge Five, a group of spies for the Soviet Union who infiltrated the British establishment. Burgess's life is a blend of remarkable achievements and tumultuous events, leading to his eventual defection to the Soviet Union in 1951. As of 2025, Burgess would have turned 114 years old, although he passed away in 1963. His legacy continues to intrigue historians and enthusiasts of espionage.
| Occupation | Spies |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 16, 1911 |
| Age | 52 Years |
| Birth Place | Devonport, Devon, England |
| Horoscope | Aries |
| Country | England |
| Date of death | 30 August, 1963 |
| Died Place | Moscow, Soviet Union |
Popularity
Guy Burgess's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Guy Burgess was known for his striking appearance, standing at approximately 6 feet (183 cm) tall. While specific weight details are not widely reported, it is estimated that he weighed around 14 stones (approximately 196 lbs or 89 kg) during his prime. His robust physique contributed to his charismatic presence in both social and political circles.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Guy Burgess's personal life was complex, characterized by various relationships. He was rumored to have had several affairs with individuals of both genders, including notable companions. Although details about his relationships remain largely speculative, he had a long-term relationship with his friend Anthony Blunt. This relationship was significant in shaping both his personal life and his engagement with espionage. Despite his high-profile connections, Burgess maintained a level of secrecy around his personal affairs, characteristic of his espionage background.
Among those Burgess invited to broadcast were Blunt, several times; the well-connected writer-politician Harold Nicolson (a fruitful source of high-level gossip); the poet John Betjeman; and Philby's father, the Arabist and explorer St John Philby.
Burgess also sought out Winston Churchill, then a powerful backbench opponent of the government's appeasement policy.
On 1 October 1938, during the Munich crisis, Burgess, who had met Churchill socially, went to the latter's home at Chartwell to persuade him to reconsider his decision to withdraw from a projected talks series on Mediterranean countries.
According to the account provided in Tom Driberg's biography, the conversation ranged over a series of issues, with Burgess urging the statesman to "offer his eloquence" to help resolve the current crisis.
The meeting ended with the presentation to Burgess of a signed copy of Churchill's book Arms and the Covenant, but the broadcast did not take place.
Net Worth and Salary
Considering Guy Burgess's controversial career and the secrecy surrounding many aspects of his life, estimating his net worth is challenging. However, it is believed that he lived comfortably during his time in the Soviet Union after his defection. His earnings as a diplomat and later as a Soviet agent allowed him a certain level of financial security, although precise figures are not documented due to the clandestine nature of his activities.
The Gillman wealth ensured a comfortable home for the young family. Guy's earliest schooling was probably with a governess until, aged 9, he began as a boarder at Lockers Park, an exclusive preparatory school near Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.
He did well there; his grades were consistently good and he played for the school's association football team. Having completed the Lockers curriculum a year early, he was too young to proceed immediately, as intended, to the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth.
Instead, from January 1924 he spent a year at Eton College, a boys' public school in Eton, Berkshire.
Career, Business, and Investments
Guy Burgess's career began in the British Foreign Office, where his intellectual prowess and charm helped him ascend the ranks. However, his career took a dramatic turn when he became involved in espionage activities. As a member of the Cambridge Five, he provided critical intelligence to the Soviet Union, jeopardizing national security and changing the course of British intelligence operations. His defection in 1951 marked a significant shift in his career, leading to a life of exile where he continued to work for the Soviet government until his death in 1963.
The Burgess family's English roots can be traced to the arrival in Britain in 1592 of Abraham de Bourgeous de Chantilly, a refugee from the Huguenot religious persecutions in France. The family settled in Kent and became prosperous, mainly as bankers.
Later generations created a military tradition; Burgess's grandfather, Henry Miles Burgess, was an officer in the Royal Artillery whose main service was in the Middle East. Malcolm had a generally unremarkable career in the Royal Navy, eventually reaching the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
In 1907 he married Evelyn Gillman, the daughter of a wealthy Portsmouth banker.
Social Network
Though much of Guy Burgess's life was ensnared in secrecy, he maintained connections with various influential figures in politics, academia, and the arts. These networks spanned across different countries, primarily between the UK and the Soviet Union. Modern interest in Burgess has led to the emergence of various social media platforms discussing his life and espionage activities, providing fans and historians alike with a space to explore his complex legacy.
At the Foreign Office, Burgess acted as a confidential secretary to Hector McNeil, deputy to Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin. This post gave Burgess access to secret information on all aspects of Britain's foreign policy during the critical post-1945 period, and it is estimated that he passed thousands of documents to his Soviet controllers.
In 1950 he was appointed second secretary to the British Embassy in Washington, a post from which he was sent home after repeated misbehaviour. Although not at this stage under suspicion, Burgess nevertheless accompanied fellow spy Donald Maclean when the latter, on the point of being unmasked, fled to Moscow in May 1951.
Education
Guy Burgess was educated at the prestigious Eton College, followed by Trinity College, Cambridge, where he read History. His education played a fundamental role in shaping his intellectual abilities and provided the foundation for his work in diplomacy and espionage. He was also known for his articulate manner and deep understanding of political affairs, which made him a unique figure in the world of espionage.
Born into an upper middle class family, Burgess was educated at Eton College, the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, and Trinity College, Cambridge. An assiduous networker, he embraced left-wing politics at Cambridge and joined the British Communist Party.
Burgess was recruited by Soviet intelligence in 1935, on the recommendation of the future double agent Harold "Kim" Philby. After leaving Cambridge, Burgess worked for the BBC as a producer, briefly interrupted by a short period as a full-time MI6 intelligence officer, before joining the Foreign Office in 1944.
