10.07.2026 09:51
Wally Funk, who held the title of the oldest woman to travel to space, has died at age 87 in Texas. In 2021, Funk traveled to space with Jeff Bezos aboard the Blue Origin vehicle. She was a member of the Mercury 13 group, who successfully passed NASA's astronaut tests in the 1960s but were not sent to space because they were women. She was only able to fulfill her dream at the age of 82.
Wally Funk, who made history as the oldest woman to travel to space, passed away at the age of 87.
Duff O'Dell, a member of the Grapevine City Council in Texas, announced in a statement that Funk died in her apartment at a nursing home in Grapevine. O'Dell stated that Funk had fallen several times recently and developed an infection in her leg, adding, "This had negative effects."
SHE MADE A SUCCESSFUL SPACE JOURNEY IN 2021
In a statement on the social media platform of the US-based X company, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said, "Wally Funk never lost her belief that she would one day reach space. Her passion for flying, her determination, and her love of exploration will continue to inspire generations of Americans. Godspeed, Wally."
Funk made a successful space journey on July 20, 2021, aboard the New Shepard vehicle developed by Blue Origin, accompanied by US e-commerce giant Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and two others.
SHE WAS RECORDED AS THE 'OLDEST WOMAN TO TRAVEL TO SPACE'
During the flight, Funk was joined by Bezos, his brother Mark Bezos, and Oliver Daemen, the son of the CEO of Somerset Capitals Partner.
Although Funk was recorded as the "oldest person" to go to space with that flight, after this record was later broken by "Star Trek" series actor William Shatner, aged 90, and US' Ed Dwight, also aged 90, Funk was recorded as the "oldest woman" to travel to space.