Most people would consider surviving a stroke at 96 reason enough to slow down.

Betty Bromage had a very different idea.

In August 2026, the 97-year-old British great-grandmother climbed onto the wing of a vintage aircraft and took to the skies, breaking her own Guinness World Record as the oldest female wing-walker. The achievement was particularly remarkable because Bromage had suffered a stroke just one year earlier. Rather than allowing the experience to stop her from pursuing another adventure, she decided to return to the skies.

During the stunt, Bromage was securely strapped to the upper wing of a vintage biplane as it flew over the British countryside. The aircraft reached speeds of around 130 mph, while the 97-year-old waved to spectators below.

But this wasn’t simply about breaking another record.

Bromage used the challenge to raise money for the hospital’s stroke unit, the same kind of medical service that had helped her recover after her stroke. Her achievement came just months after 98-year-old Harry Heasman became the oldest male wing-walker, meaning both records were being pushed to extraordinary ages in 2026.