Annabelle Bond – OBE earned the title “fastest woman climber in the world” in 2005 after scaling the highest peaks on the seven continents in just 360 days. At the end of 2003, she began intensive training with a Chilean team 6 months prior to going to Everest. She reached the summit of Mount Everest on May 15th 2004, the fourth British woman to stand on top of the world. After climbing Mount Everest, Annabelle went on to climb the other six mountains that comprise the Seven Summits, making her the only woman in the world to have achieved that extraordinary physical and logistical feat in less than a year. Her record stood for eight years before being broken.
In April 2006, Annabelle joined SAS Prince Albert II of Monaco on an expedition to the North Pole. Using teams of dogs, the seven-person expedition reached the North Pole on April 16th. The expedition was conducted in conjunction with a project for the World Wildlife Fund that sought to highlight awareness of global warming.
In August 2007, with the birth of her daughter Isabella, Annabelle became a single mother. She has since devoted her time and energy to being the best mum she can be, whilst still staying fit and engaged in endurance events and various business and philanthropic activities.
In May 2009, Annabelle ran a 250-kilometer self-supported endurance race across the desert of Namibia as part of the Racing the Planet Series of Races. In October 2009, Annabelle ran the same distance across the Sahara Desert to raise funds and to highlight awareness for the Eve Appeal, which focuses on the prevention of Ovarian Cancer.
In 2016 Annabelle raced in her first triathlon in Phuket, Thailand, winning her age group – the triathlon is just short of a half Iron Man, but the humidity, heat, and hills make it one of the toughest triathlons on the globe.
Annabelle speaks regularly to corporations, schools, and charity groups on the importance of Setting and Achieving Goals. She works as well as an Advisor to Arbor Ventures, an all-woman venture capital fund. She remains passionate about health and nutrition.
Annabelle has been awarded the position of honorary Colonel of the Chilean Army, and she was made a member of the Royal Council of Ingxotha by his Majesty King Zwelithini Goodwill KaBhekuzulu of KwaZulu. In addition, Annabelle has been awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by the Queen of England for her services to Mountaineering and Charity.