104-Year-Old Breaks Records with Skydiving Stunt
Meet Dorothy Hoffner, a daring 104-year-old from Chicago, who recently traded her walking frame for a parachute in pursuit of a world record. Dorothy decided to take the plunge, quite literally, as she aimed to become the oldest skydiver on the planet. On a sunny Sunday, she made her move from a dizzying altitude of 13,500 feet (4,114 meters) in northern Illinois.
This wasn’t Dorothy’s first rodeo in the sky; she had her first taste of skydiving adrenaline at the ripe age of 100. With a little help, she boarded a small plane known as a Skyvan alongside fellow thrill-seekers.
Dorothy wasn’t just along for the ride; she had her sights set on surpassing the Guinness World Record set by 103-year-old Linnea Ingegard Larsson from Sweden last May. Eager to get going, she uttered her famous words, “Let’s go, let’s go, Geronimo!” as she settled into her seat on the aircraft.
Unlike her previous jump where she needed a gentle nudge, this time Dorothy insisted on leading the charge. Securely harnessed to a parachute instructor, this centenarian exhibited remarkable calmness and confidence as the airplane’s door swung open.
Shuffling to the edge, Dorothy took the leap, headfirst, executed a graceful forward roll in the sky, and experienced the thrill of freefall with her torso facing the ground. Seven minutes later, she touched down safely to a cheering crowd at Skydive Chicago in the Ottawa region.
With a triumphant smile, Dorothy delivered a memorable message: “Age is just a number.” Reunited with her trusty walker, she couldn’t help but express her joy at being back on solid ground. Reflecting on her extraordinary adventure, she said, “But it was wonderful up there. The whole thing was delightful, wonderful, couldn’t have been better.”
As she gears up to celebrate her 105th birthday in December, Dorothy isn’t slowing down. She hinted at the possibility of riding in a hot-air balloon next, something she’s never experienced before.
The team at Skydive Chicago is actively working to have Dorothy Hoffner’s incredible jump officially recognized as a Guinness World Record, according to a report by a local TV station.
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