Most people celebrate their 97th birthday surrounded by family and cake. Betty Bromage celebrated hers by being strapped to the top of an aircraft and soaring through the skies—upside down. The fearless lady from Cheltenham, England, has officially broken the Guinness World Record for becoming the oldest female wing walker.

As the aircraft performed breathtaking aerial manoeuvres, Betty stood securely on the wing, embracing the thrill that has become her trademark over the past decade.

Remarkably, this wasn't her first taste of adventure—it was her sixth wing walk, a passion she first discovered at the age of 87.

Breaking Her Own Record

Betty isn't just a record-breaker—she's a record-breaker who keeps outdoing herself. She had already entered the Guinness World Records four years earlier after completing the same daring feat. Now, at 97, she has surpassed her own achievement, extending her title as the world's oldest female wing walker.

Despite the adrenaline-filled experience, Betty remains wonderfully down-to-earth. "The only problem is getting up on the wing because I'm quite short," she joked, adding with a smile that the rides at a fairground are "a lot worse."

Her infectious humour and fearless spirit have made her an inspiration to people of all ages.

A Flight with a Purpose

For Betty, the wing walk was about much more than setting another world record. In 2025, she suffered a stroke and received life-saving treatment at Cheltenham General Hospital. Deeply grateful for the care she received, she decided to turn her latest adventure into a fundraiser for the hospital's stroke unit.

Every donation raised through the challenge will help purchase medical equipment and improve care for future patients. Hospital staff praised her extraordinary commitment, describing her daring fundraiser as a remarkable act of generosity that will make a real difference.

Unable to drive and facing declining eyesight, she refuses to let age define what she can achieve. Instead, she focuses on what she can do—and does it spectacularly.

Her philosophy is also rooted in compassion. As a former nurse, she was inspired by words displayed on a hospital wall that encouraged people to do every act of kindness while they still can—a message that continues to guide her life today.

While many might consider this achievement a fitting finale, Betty has other plans. She is already thinking about what extraordinary challenge she can take on when she turns 100. If her remarkable journey has taught us anything, it's that adventure doesn't come with an expiry date.