[1][2] Lee was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and showed an interest in wildlife as a child.

In December 2005, Lee Durrell handed over a large collection of dead animals (which had originally been collected and bred by her husband Gerald Durrell) to the National Museums of Scotland to aid genetic research of the critically rare species.

[4] Lee acted as consultant for The Durrells, a 2016 ITV six-part dramatisation of My Family and Other Animals.

[3] Durrell is the author of three books: She is also the editor of: The companion book of a TV series documents the series where she was co-presenter: Nactus serpeninsula durrelli, or Durrell's night gecko, is the Round Island race of the Serpent Island gecko, named after Gerald and Lee Durrell for their contribution to saving the gecko and Round Island fauna in general.

[5] Lee Durrell was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in the 2011 Birthday Honours.