Born in Louvain, Belgium, on August 4th, 1927; son of André (renowned "Painter of the Congo", 1890-1959) and Berthe (Rosseels)

Served with Resistance Movement, 1942-1943); Belgian Army, 1944-45

Decorated Palmes 1940-45, 1946, Volunteer's Medal with Golden Palms and Commemorative Medal with Bronze Crown, 1947

Educated University of Brussels, 1945-46; Sorbonne, Paris 1947-48

Sociologist/Agronomist, Ministry of former Belgian Congo, 1948-58

Lived and worked with 650,000 natives of 17 different tribes and learned all their dialects and most of their traditional customs

Initiated blood brother Lega (Member of the Bwami Secret Society) 1950, Masai 1951, Tutsi (Watusi) 1955, and Nande 1957

Lost his right hand while saving a famine-stricken tribe in 1955

Accomplished an "Ethnological Revolution", "the most remarkable social achievement of recent years" (Press Africaine) describing his humanitarian work and a Declaration of Emancipation obtained, single -handedly, for the endangered Efé Pygmies of the Ituri Forest, Zaire, 1957

Owner of an Ethnographical Gallery of Traditional Arts ("The finest in Africa"), Gisenyi, 1958-60

Bestowed by the King Baudouin I of Belgium the coveted Gold Medal of the Royal Order of the Lion, 1959 and the eminent Silver Star for Meritorious Service, 1960

Founded Congoland U.S.A., Sanctuary for preservation of African fauna and cultural heritage, 1960

Emigrated to the United States of America 1960, lecturing to various organizations 1961 to date

Compiled World's largest private collection of African Arts, acquired by the University of California 1963

Consultant, Africanist, Special Curator, University of California, Los Angeles, 1963

Writer of over 30 national magazine stories, and Narrator of Television Specials 1963 to date

Made regular appearances on all major national and local television shows, 1964 to date

Selected Most Outstanding Speaker of the Year by the Los Angeles Adventures' Club, 1966

Author, Congo Kitabu (translated into 19 languages, Reader's Digest Book Club Selection, alternate Selection, Book-of-the-Month Club), 1966; Animal Kitabu (hailed "One of the most vivid and realistic contributions to natural History and Zoology"), 1967; and Pygmy Kitabu ("a monumental achievement... what no other man has done, no matter what his profession might be"), 1973

Featured "The Abe Lincoln of the Congo", Sepia Mag., 1965, as one of 20 Men of Courage (book) with John F. Kennedy & Capt. J. Lovell, ´72 Great Survival Adventures, ´73 Guidepost cover story, ´77

Recipient of a Best Book award by the American Library Association, 1966

Elected Honorary Member, Honolulu Adventurers' Club, 1966 and Knight of Mark Twain, 1967

Organized Jean-Pierre Hallet's Special Safaris in 1969 (which he continues to personally lead)

Producer, Director of feature documentary, Pygmies (Daily Variety: "Must be the finest in-depth study of this vanishing people to reach the screen... thoroughly professional"), 1973

Founded, in 1974, THE PYGMY FUND, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the Pygmies' lives and culture by helping them to achieve "self-reliance with dignity and integrity"

Produced two educational films for Encyclopedia Britannica, 1975 (available from EBE, Chicago, IL)

Owner of "Jean-Pierre Hallet's Private Gallery", African Arts, Malibu, California, 1975

Awarded Los Angeles Mayor's Commendation (Hon. Tom Bradley) for "Saving the Pygmies...", 1976

Honored Fellow Member by The World-Wide Academy of Scholars, 1976; proclaimed the Humanitarian of the Decade by the Ambassador International Cultural Foundation, 1977; and awarded full Credential for life to teach Adult Classes at California Community Colleges by CCC Board of Governors, 1980

Granted Honorary Citizenship by many States and Cities and over 100 other awards, certificates etc.

Pioneered the first large-scale introduction in Central Africa of the high-protein Winged Bean ("The Seeds of Hope") with the potential of saving millions of hungry and starving people, 1982 to date

Recorded for posterity on Biographical Roll of Honor by the Historical Preservations of America of "Distinguished Service to ALL OF HUMANKIND" and for receiving "Biographical Recognition in the following internationally respected reference works: The Book of Honor, Contemporary Authors, International Authors, Men of Achievement, Dictionary of International Biography, International Registry of Who's Who, Men and Women of Distinction, International Who's Who in Art & Antiques, The California Register, Who's Who in America, Who's Who in California, Who's Who in the West, Two Thousand Men of Achievement, The World Who's Who of Authors, Personalities of the West & Midwest, Who's Who in the World", 1982