104-Year-Old Sets World Record as Oldest Female Skydiver: Dorothy Hoffner’s Inspiring Story

2023-10-11 04:35:00

Record: 104-year-old completes skydive

STORY: Anyone who thinks they are too old to skydive can take the example of Dorothy Hoffner, a retiree from Chicago, Illinois. At the proud age of 104, she might soon be listed as the oldest female skydiver in the world. Last weekend she completed a tandem jump from a height of over four kilometers. «When we jumped off, we were hit by a strong gust. I think we somersaulted. I found that very funny.” «If you feel good, you can do things like that. Sometimes you’re afraid. But if you feel good, then you should do it.” When they reached the ground, there was huge applause from the record-breaking spectators. Even if the 104-year-old doesn’t understand what all the fuss is regarding. «The jump was great, I enjoyed it. But I don’t understand why all those people were there. The only thing I contributed to was getting old. Dorothy Hoffner is looking forward to her 105th birthday in December 105. Then she wants to take it easy – with a hot air balloon ride next summer. The Guinness World Record for the oldest skydiver was set in 2022 by a 103-year-old Swede.

11.10.2023

A week following her skydive at the age of 104, American Dorothy Hoffner has died, according to a friend.

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A week following her skydive at the age of 104, American Dorothy Hoffner died, according to a friend. Hoffner was found dead on Monday by staff at the Brookdale Lake View retirement home in Chicago, said Joe Conant. Apparently Hoffner died in her sleep on Sunday evening (local time). On October 1st, Hoffner undertook a parachute jump that might earn her an entry in the Guinness Book of Records.

Dorothy Hoffner was found dead on Monday by staff at the Brookdale Lake View retirement home in Chicago, Joe Conant said. Apparently Hoffner died in his sleep on Sunday evening (local time). Conant, who works as a carer, became friends with the elderly lady a few years ago when he was looking following another resident of the home.

On October 1st, Hoffner undertook a parachute jump that might earn her an entry in the Guinness Book of Records. “Age is just a number,” the senior citizen announced to a cheering crowd as she landed at Skydive Chicago Airport in Ottawa, regarding 140 kilometers southwest of Chicago, according to a report in the Chicago Tribune. She plunged herself into the depths from 4,100 meters using a tandem jump.

Dorothy Hoffner during the skydiving tandem jump in Ottawa, Illinois.

Bild:
IMAGO/ZUMA Wire/Brian Cassella

It wasn’t her first time: she made her first skydive when she was 100 years old. According to Conant, he is taking care of the paperwork so that his girlfriend can now be posthumously confirmed by the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest female skydiver in the world. However, that might take a while, he said. The current record holder is the Swede Linnéa Ingegärd Larsson, who plunged into the depths with a tandem jump in May 2022 at the age of 103.

Dorothy Hoffner, 104, is the world’s oldest skydiver, seen here with tandem diver Derek Baxter.

Bild:
Keystone/Daniel Wilsey via AP

Hoffner radiated amazing energy and remained mentally active until the end, said Conant. «She was tireless. She kept going.”

dpa

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