104-Year-Old Woman Achieves Skydiving Dream
Age is just a number for Dorothy Hoffner, a 104-year-old Chicago woman who defied expectations by taking a leap of faith from a plane. Her dream? To become the oldest person ever to skydive.
On a sunny day at Skydive Chicago in Ottawa, Illinois, about 85 miles from the Windy City, Dorothy’s determination soared high. She left her walker on the ground and, with a cheering crowd below, embarked on her tandem jump.
This wasn’t her first time defying gravity. Dorothy first tried skydiving at the age of 100, back when she needed a little extra push to exit the aircraft. But on this remarkable day, she was determined to lead the way from 13,500 feet, securely tethered to a certified instructor from the U.S. Parachute Association.
The entire adventure lasted seven breathtaking minutes, including the leisurely descent under her parachute. As she gracefully touched down on the grassy landing area, the wind playfully swept her white hair back.
Friends and well-wishers rushed to congratulate Dorothy, bringing her walker over to her side. She expressed her delight, saying, “The whole thing was delightful, wonderful, couldn’t have been better.” And with her 105th birthday approaching in December, she’s already thinking about her next adventure: a hot air balloon ride.
Organizers are diligently working to have Dorothy’s jump officially recognized by Guinness World Records. As of now, the current record belongs to 103-year-old Linnéa Ingegärd Larsson from Sweden, who set the record in May 2022.
Dorothy Hoffner’s remarkable feat reminds us that age truly is just a number, and dreams can take flight at any stage of life.