Queen Elizabeth II presented Tenzig Norgay with the George Medal and a Coronation Medal in 1953. Tenzig Norgay was named One of the Most Influential People of the 20th Century by Time Magazine in 1999. In 2003, Tenzig's daughter Deki would climb Everest with Hillary's son Peter on the 50th anniversary of their fathers' climb.

So the idea that Tenzig Norgay is not as well know as Edmund Hillary sounds ridiculous for anyone who has been alive over 30 years. They are always mentioned together.