A 97-year-old woman, known as Betty Bromage, is on track to break her own Guinness World Record as the oldest female wing walker. Betty, who resides in a retirement home in Cheltenham, Gloucs, entered the world of wing walking at the age of 87 and achieved her first global record at 93. With her sixth wing walk scheduled for August, she is poised to extend her title.
Betty was inspired to take up wing walking after reminiscing about an old Crunchie bar advert showing a lady on top of a plane. Transitioning to a retirement home provided her with the opportunity to explore new adventures, leading her to pursue wing walking at 87.
After finding a traditional wing walk to be mundane, Betty requested the pilot to spice things up by performing a figure of eight maneuver during her initial attempt in 2016. Since then, she has completed multiple wing walks, including one to commemorate her 90th birthday amidst the Covid pandemic. Additionally, she has tackled daring challenges such as Europe’s longest zip line in Snowdonia and abseiling down Cheltenham’s Eagle Star building.
In 2022, at the age of 93, Betty secured the Guinness World Record by executing stunts like a loop-the-loop and a barrel roll to support a palliative care and bereavement charity. Despite facing a recent stroke, she remains resolute in embarking on her sixth wing walk in August to raise funds for Cheltenham General Hospital’s stroke unit, where she received care.
The CEO of Pegasus Homes’, overseeing Betty’s care home, praised her inspirational spirit and emphasized the importance of embracing new experiences regardless of age. The upcoming wing walk at RFC Rendcomb Airfield in Cirencester will not only mark Betty’s record-breaking feat but also highlight her unwavering determination to live life to the fullest.