Britain’s Oldest Skydiver: Meet the 102-Year-Old Who Made History in the Sky
Image credit: Times of India.
At 102 years old, Manette Baillie from Suffolk isn’t slowing down. Instead, she’s making history. On August 25, Baillie celebrated her birthday by becoming Britain’s oldest skydiver. This military veteran and adventurous spirit leaped from a plane at 7,000 feet, raising over £10,000 for local non-profits in the process.
“You must always look for something new,” she shared before her jump, demonstrating a philosophy that has guided her through a long and remarkable life. Baillie’s sense of adventure is nothing new—she has a history of taking on daring challenges. On her 100th birthday, she sped around the Silverstone race track in a Ferrari, hitting 130mph. This time, her inspiration came from an unlikely source—a friend’s 85-year-old father who had recently completed a parachute jump. “If he can do it, so can I,” she declared.
Her skydiving feat also broke the record for Britain’s oldest parachutist, previously held by 101-year-old Verdun Hayes. For Baillie, this was more than just an adrenaline rush—it was a way to give back to her community. Her funds will support three organizations dear to her heart: East Anglian Air Ambulance, the Motor Neurone Disease Association, and the Benhall and Sternfield Ex-servicemen’s and Village Club.
Her connection to the East Anglian Air Ambulance is particularly personal. In 1969, they saved her son’s life after a diving accident on the Isle of Wight. This connection even caught the attention of Prince William, who wrote her a letter of encouragement, recalling his own experience with the air ambulance service.
Baillie’s secret to a fulfilling life? “Community, friends, and being among people,” she says. “Keep busy, be interested in everything, be kind to those around you, and let them be kind to you. And don’t forget to party.”
With her latest adventure, Manette Baillie proves that age is just a number and that living fully means always finding new ways to embrace life.
Sushmita Chowdhary, Staff Reporter.
