Who Is Kim Philby? Age, Biography and Wiki
Kim Philby would have turned 113 years old in 2025, but he passed away on May 11, 1988. Born in Ambala, India, to a British colonial family, Philby's life is often described through the lens of his controversial career in MI6 and his eventual defection to the Soviet Union. He became one of the most infamous spies in history, known for his betrayal of British intelligence during the Cold War. Philby's legacy raises ongoing discussions around loyalty, commitment, and the moral complexities of espionage.
| Occupation | Journalist |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 1, 1912 |
| Age | 76 Years |
| Birth Place | Ambala, Punjab, British India |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | India |
| Date of death | 11 May, 1988 |
| Died Place | N/A |
Popularity
Kim Philby's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details regarding Philby’s physical dimensions in adulthood are somewhat elusive, records suggest he had a tall stature, likely around 6 feet tall, with a weight that fluctuated throughout his life. His appearance was marked by his somewhat disheveled look, a reflection of both his spy persona and the stresses he faced during his tumultuous lifetime.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Philby was married three times throughout his life. His first wife was Aileen Furse, with whom he had three children. His relationships were often complicated, primarily due to the double life he led. In 1949, he married his second wife, Joan, with whom he had one child, and later, he married Eleanor, a Russian woman, after defecting to the Soviet Union. Philby’s family relationships are as complex and layered as his career in espionage, heavily impacted by the secrets and lies that defined his life.
Nicknamed "Kim" after the boy-spy in Rudyard Kipling's novel Kim, Philby attended Aldro preparatory school, an all-boys school located in Shackleford, Surrey. In his early teens, he spent some time with the Bedouin in the Arabian desert.
Following in the footsteps of his father, Philby continued to Westminster School, which he left in 1928 at age 16. He won a scholarship to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he read history and economics. He graduated in 1933 with a 2:1 degree.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death, Kim Philby had a modest net worth, despite his years of covert operations and high-ranking positions within the intelligence community. His defection to the Soviet Union also meant he lived under a different economic structure. Estimates place his net worth at around $1 million in today’s currency, with his earnings primarily derived from his intelligence career and eventual work as a journalist.
Upon his arrival in Moscow in January 1963, Philby discovered that he was not a colonel in the KGB, as he had been led to believe. He was paid 500 roubles a month (the average Soviet salary in 1960 was Rbls 80.60 a month and Rbls 122 in 1970) and his family was not immediately able to join him in exile.
Philby was under virtual house arrest and under guard, with all visitors screened by the KGB. It was ten years before he was given a minor role in the training of KGB recruits.
Mikhail Lyubimov, his closest KGB contact, explained that this was to guard his safety, but later admitted that the real reason was the KGB's fear that Philby would return to London.
Career, Business and Investments
Philby joined British intelligence in 1940 and quickly became a significant part of MI6. However, it was his role as a communist double agent that secured his legacy in the annals of espionage. He leaked sensitive information to the USSR for over a decade, which significantly impacted international relations during the Cold War. Post-defection, Philby's career took a different turn as he continued to write about espionage and political affairs, cementing his status as both a revered and reviled figure in history.
In 1949, Philby was appointed first secretary to the British Embassy in Washington and served as chief British liaison with American intelligence agencies. During his career as an intelligence officer, he passed large amounts of intelligence to the Soviet Union, including the Albanian Subversion, a scheme to overthrow the pro-Soviet government of Communist Albania.
Social Network
Although Kim Philby has been deceased for several decades, his influence persists in various social circles, particularly among historians, political scientists, and espionage enthusiasts. Online forums, social media platforms, and academic networks remain hotbeds for discussions about his life and legacy. Websites focused on espionage history often feature content dedicated to his life, urging new generations to explore the complex narratives that surround espionage practices.
Years after the war, Sir Hardy Amies, who had served as an intelligence officer, recalled that Philby was in his mess and on being asked what the infamous spy was like, Hardy quipped, "He was always trying to get information out of me—most significantly the name of my tailor".
Philby, "employed in a Department of the Foreign Office", was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1946.
Education
Philby attended Westminster School in London and later, King's College, Cambridge, where he studied history. His education played a critical role in shaping his political ideologies, eventually leading him towards communist sympathies, which would ultimately define his duality as a British intelligence officer and a Soviet spy.
Born in British India, Philby was educated at Westminster School and Trinity College, Cambridge. He was recruited by Soviet intelligence in 1934. After leaving Cambridge, Philby worked as a journalist, covering the Spanish Civil War and the Battle of France.
In 1940, he began working for the United Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Service (SIS or MI6). By the end of the Second World War he had become a high-ranking member.
