For the first time ever, the beloved TV channel is creating an original scripted series inspired by none other than physicist Albert Einstein
As lovers of all things flora and fauna– from hiking trails to furry friends– one of our fave TV channels has got to be National Geographic. We’re no stranger to its impressive variety of documentaries (shout out to Cesar to the Rescue), but fans of trivia and science are gonna want to add this to their list: Nat Geo is launching their very first original scripted series based on Albert Einstein, aptly titled ‘Genius’. It stars *drumroll* Oscar-winner Geoffrey Rush, who famously camped it up as Captain Barbossa in the Pirates of the Caribbean films.
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We thought we knew everything about the Nobel Prize-winning physicist, but boy, were we wrong! Besides being arguably the most influential scientist who ever lived, Einstein’s life was full of drama, adventure and (ahem) forbidden romance. Here are some little known facts about him.
He had a secret daughter
Before Einstein married his first wife, Mileva Marić, they had a daughter named “Lieserl” who was born in Serbia, where Marić was staying with her parents. Sadly, Marić returned to Switzerland without the child and her real name and fate was never discovered. It has been speculated that “Lieserl” was either given up for adoption or had died of scarlet fever as an infant.
He was the inspiration for Yoda’s mug
If you found Yoda’s eyes and wrinkles a tad familiar in the Star Wars movies, it’s because they were based on Einstein’s! Now that we’ve thought about it, it’s only fitting that the wise Jedi Master resembles one of the greatest brains in history.
He actually visited Singapore
Almost a hundred years ago, Einstein embarked on a six-month speaking tour around Asia, and swung by Singapore for a day. He dined with the local Jewish community and made a speech at the home of philanthropist Sir Manassah Meyer in Oxley Rise.
He was in love with his cousin
During their marriage in 1914, Marić found out about Einstein’s romantic attraction to his cousin Elsa Löwenthal. After eventually divorcing Marić (they were living apart for five years), Einstein and Elsa married in 1919.
Intrigued yet? Tune in to the premiere of Genius; the ten-part series starts airing on National Geographic (Singtel TV channel 201 and StarHub TV channel 411) on 23 April, 7pm.
This article is sponsored by National Geographic.