Betty Bromage, a 97-year-old grandmother from Gloucestershire, has captured hearts worldwide as the oldest female wing walker, a Guinness World Record she set at age 93. Now, nearly blind but undeterred, she is gearing up for her sixth wing walking flight this August, proving that age and physical challenges are no barriers to adventure.
Betty’s extraordinary journey into extreme sports began at 87, sparked by a nostalgic memory of a 1991 Cadbury’s Crunchie advert featuring a lady on a plane’s wing. Living at Pegasus Homes' Latheram House in Cheltenham, where all household chores are taken care of, she found herself with the freedom to explore new passions after her husband Donald passed away in 2004.
Her first wing walk took place in 2016 at Gloucestershire Airport’s Staverton airfield. Unwilling to settle for ordinary thrills, Betty soon asked her pilot for more daring maneuvers, including figure eights, loops, and barrel rolls — stunts that earned her recognition and raised funds for charity, including a summer house for her care home residents and the Sue Ryder charity.
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Betty’s zest for life extends beyond wing walking. She has tackled a zip wire in Snowdonia and abseiled 161 feet down Cheltenham’s Eagle Star building. These feats come despite her younger years being far less adventurous; she once described herself as a “townie” unfamiliar with countryside life or even what a cow looked like.
Her bravery was especially remarkable given the obstacles she has faced. In her 60s, a spinal injury left her temporarily paralyzed, forcing her to fight hard to regain mobility. Now, facing near blindness and reduced independence, Betty remains fiercely determined. Supported by her family, including a grandson who aids her preparations, she refuses to be confined by her limitations.
In August 2025, Betty suffered a stroke and fractured her pelvis but has made significant progress in recovery. She now balances a quieter social life with her desire to keep moving and contributing to causes close to her heart.
This upcoming wing walk at RFC Rendcomb Airfield in Cirencester will not only be another thrilling milestone but also a fundraising effort for the stroke unit at Cheltenham General Hospital, which provided her care. Betty’s mantra is clear: “The last thing on earth I want to do is lie in bed and have people run around after me.”
Pegasus Homes CEO Steve Bangs praises Betty as an inspiration, a shining example that life after 90 can be full of new experiences and challenges. As she prepares to take to the skies once more, everyone is eager to cheer on her latest record-breaking adventure — a celebration of courage, resilience, and undying spirit.