A remarkable achievement has been recorded in the world of daredevil stunts, as Betty Bromage, a 97-year-old from Cheltenham, England, has set a new Guinness World Record for being the oldest female wing walker. This marks yet another milestone for Bromage, who took up the thrilling challenge at the age of 87 and has now completed the daring flight six times throughout her life.
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On 4 August 2026, Bromage ventured into the skies once again, breaking her own previous record set just four years earlier. The event was not only a personal triumph but also a charitable initiative aimed at raising funds for Cheltenham General Hospital. The hospital played a significant role in her recovery after she suffered a stroke in August 2025, which had left her facing some challenges in her speech, although she maintains that “the rest of me is fine.”
Speaking to the BBC ahead of her flight, Bromage expressed her motivations for continuing to take on such challenges. “I’d just get bored of life otherwise,” she proclaimed. “I can’t drive, I can’t see very well, and I get a bit frustrated. So, I want to do the things I can do.” Her adventurous spirit and zest for life shine through, proving that age is merely a number when it comes to pursuing one’s passions.
To surpass her previous record, Bromage had to endure a minimum of five minutes in the air, which included both takeoff and landing. Captured in stunning photographs, Bromage was seen poised on the wing of an Aero-Super-Batics biplane, displaying her fearless demeanour as she prepared for takeoff. She revealed during her appearance on ITV’s Good Morning Britain that she already has plans for future adventures, stating, “If I’m still here in a couple of years’ time we might have another go.”
When asked about her approach to challenges and fears, Bromage offered inspiring words of wisdom. “You mustn’t say the word can’t. The word can’t isn’t right. You say, ‘I will if I can,’ but the word can’t is not in my vocabulary,” she explained. This resilient mindset has propelled her from the time she first considered wing walking at age 87, a notion she casually entertained upon observing it for the first time.
Moments before her sixth flight, an ITV reporter inquired if she felt any nervousness about her upcoming adventure. “No, never nervous, I’m not a nervous person,” she responded confidently. Soon after, she ascended 15 feet onto the aircraft’s wing and secured herself for takeoff, demonstrating an admirable blend of courage and determination.
As the biplane soared through the sky, awe-inspiring footage circulated, showcasing Bromage as she zipped through the clouds, even as the aircraft executed daring stunts like loop-the-loops. Reflecting on the experience, she described it as “great,” adding, “Bit bumpy, but it was great, yeah.”
In the realm of wing walking, Betty Bromage’s achievement follows closely after another notable contender in this adventurous field. Harry Heasman, a World War II veteran, currently holds the title for the oldest male wing walker, having achieved this distinction in May by flying across the British countryside while raising funds for the Lennox Children’s Cancer Fund in honour of his late wife and son.
Betty Bromage embodies the spirit of adventure, proving that personal challenges can be met with enthusiasm regardless of age. Her fervent commitment not only to her own aspirations but also to supporting a cause close to her heart inspires those around her. As she continues to defy age-related conventions, one can only speculate what exhilarating feats she might undertake next.