Wally Funk, aviation pioneer who was oldest woman to travel into space, dies at 87
Summary
Wally Funk, a pioneering female pilot who became the oldest woman to travel into space, has died at age 87. She flew on Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin rocket in 2021 after decades of trying to become an astronaut.Key Facts
- Wally Funk died at age 87 in Grapevine, Texas.
- She was cared for by Grapevine City Councilwoman Duff O'Dell at the time of her death.
- Funk was one of 13 women tested alongside NASA's male astronauts in the 1960s but did not go to space then.
- In 2021, at age 82, she flew to space on Blue Origin’s rocket, making her the oldest woman in space at that time.
- Her record was later surpassed by actor William Shatner and astronaut candidate Ed Dwight, both aged 90.
- Jeff Bezos invited Funk as an honored guest on the Blue Origin flight from West Texas.
- NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman praised her passion for flight and inspiration to Americans.
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