Betty Bromage, a 97-year-old British woman, has broken her own Guinness World Record as the oldest female wing walker [1], [2].
The achievement highlights the intersection of extreme sports and geriatric health, demonstrating that significant physical feats remain possible for some individuals well into their tenth decade of life.
Bromage performed the stunt in the United Kingdom [2], [3]. The record-breaking flight was not merely for personal achievement, but served as a fundraiser for the hospital that treated her after she suffered a serious illness in 2025 [2].
This is not the first time Bromage has taken to the skies. She has performed wing-walking stunts six times throughout her life [4]. By returning to the wings of an aircraft, she reclaimed her title as the oldest woman to ever participate in the activity [1], [2].
"The word can't isn't in my vocabulary," Bromage said [4].
Wing walking involves a person clinging to the exterior of an airplane while it is in flight. The activity requires significant upper-body strength, and mental fortitude to withstand the wind resistance and altitude. Bromage's ability to undergo the physical strain of the flight at 97 [1] marks a rare milestone in aviation and human longevity.
The event drew attention to the resilience of the human body and the importance of supporting healthcare institutions. The funds raised through the stunt are intended to benefit the medical facility that provided her critical care during her previous health crisis [2].
“"The word can't isn't in my vocabulary"”
Bromage's record emphasizes a shift in the perception of aging, where the 'oldest' labels in extreme sports are being pushed further by a generation of seniors maintaining higher levels of physical activity. Her decision to link a world record with a charitable cause for a hospital also reflects a growing trend of using high-profile personal milestones to drive public health funding.
