Most people slow down in their later years, but 97-year-old Betty Bromage is still chasing adventure at thousands of feet in the air. The Cheltenham, England, resident has officially broken her own Guinness World Record as the world’s oldest female wing walker after completing another daring flight attached to the outside of an airplane.
Bromage first tried wing walking at the age of 87 and has now completed the remarkable feat six times. Her latest record-breaking flight took place on Aug. 4, proving that age has not diminished her passion for taking on new challenges.
The latest stunt carried special meaning beyond setting another record. Bromage used the event to raise money for Cheltenham General Hospital, where doctors and nurses cared for her after she suffered a stroke in August 2025. She said the hospital staff treated her exceptionally well and explained that while the stroke affected some of her speech, she has otherwise recovered well.
To officially reclaim her Guinness World Record, Bromage needed to remain in the air for at least five minutes, including takeoff and landing. She successfully completed the flight while securely fastened to the wing of the aircraft.
Her adventurous spirit remains as strong as ever. Bromage said she refuses to let limitations define her life, explaining that she can no longer drive and her eyesight is poor, so she focuses on enjoying the activities she is still able to do instead of dwelling on what she cannot.
She also shared words of encouragement for others, urging people to remove the word “can’t” from their vocabulary. According to Bromage, too many people dismiss opportunities before giving themselves the chance to try something new. She believes it’s better to approach life with the attitude of trying whenever possible rather than assuming something is impossible.
Just before takeoff, Bromage said she felt no fear about the challenge. She calmly climbed approximately 15 feet onto the aircraft’s wing, where she was secured before the plane lifted into the sky.
Video from the flight showed the aircraft soaring across the English countryside and even performing a full loop while Bromage remained attached to the wing. After landing safely, she described the experience as exciting despite a few bumps along the way.
Remarkably, Bromage is already thinking about another attempt. She joked that if she is still around in a couple of years, she would happily climb onto the wing again for another record-breaking flight.
The current Guinness World Record for the oldest male wing walker belongs to Harry Heasman, a World War II veteran who earned the title earlier this year while completing his own charity wing walk to benefit children with cancer in memory of his wife and son. Together, both record holders are proving that courage and determination have no age limit.
