Betty Bromage, a 97-year-old woman from Cheltenham, United Kingdom, broke her own Guinness World Record as the world’s oldest female wing-walker [1].
The achievement challenges conventional perceptions of aging and physical capability. By completing a high-adrenaline stunt at nearly a century old, Bromage demonstrates that extreme sports are not limited by age.
Bromage completed her sixth wing-walk in 2024 to secure the record [3]. The event took place in Cheltenham, England, where she ascended onto the wings of a plane while in flight [2].
Beyond the record, the stunt served a philanthropic purpose. Bromage took on the challenge to raise money for the hospital that treated her during a serious illness [4].
"The word can’t isn’t in my vocabulary," Bromage said [5].
Her journey to the record was not a single event but a series of attempts. Having already held the title, this most recent flight marked her sixth successful wing-walk [3]. The feat required significant physical coordination and bravery, as wing-walking involves strapping into a harness on the exterior of an aircraft.
According to reports, the fundraising effort was a primary motivator for the 2024 flight [4]. While some reports focus primarily on the record-breaking aspect of the event, the connection to her previous medical treatment provided a personal incentive for the stunt [4].
“"The word can’t isn’t in my vocabulary."”
This record highlights a growing trend of 'extreme aging,' where seniors engage in high-risk activities to promote longevity and mental resilience. By leveraging a world record for charitable fundraising, Bromage transforms a personal feat of endurance into a public health awareness campaign, shifting the narrative of elderly care from passive recovery to active achievement.
