Wally Funk, an aviation pioneer who was denied the opportunity to become a NASA astronaut in the 1960s but later became the oldest woman to travel into space, has died at age 87. According to multiple reports, she passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening at her apartment in Grapevine, Texas.
Key Takeaways
Wally Funk, an aviation pioneer and the oldest woman to travel into space, has died at age 87. She passed away peacefully in her apartment in Grapevine, Texas.
- Wally Funk was denied the opportunity to become a NASA astronaut due to gender biases
- She became the oldest woman to go into space aboard Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin rocket in 2021
- Funk logged over 19,600 flying hours and taught more than 3,000 people how to fly
- She was inducted into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame in 2024
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▼Source Claims Check
High ConsensusAll 5 publishers report consistent facts across 3 key claims.
| Claim | Status | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cause Of Death | Broad Agreement | Leg infection and falls took their toll. | |
| Spaceflight Record | Broad Agreement | Oldest woman to travel into space at 82. | |
| Aviation Achievements | Broad Agreement | First female flight instructor at Fort Sill, FAA inspector, NTSB investigator. |
Cause Of Death
Broad AgreementLeg infection and falls took their toll.
Spaceflight Record
Broad AgreementOldest woman to travel into space at 82.
Aviation Achievements
Broad AgreementFirst female flight instructor at Fort Sill, FAA inspector, NTSB investigator.
This analysis is AI-generated and may not perfectly represent each source's reporting. Always read the original articles for full context.
Funk had been dealing with health issues recently, including falls and a leg infection that 'took its toll,' as described by Duff O'Dell, the city councilwoman and close friend who was by Funk's side. The city of Grapevine shared on Facebook that Funk was a beloved resident whose extraordinary accomplishments left an enduring legacy.
Born on February 1, 1939, Funk dedicated more than seven decades to aviation. She received her flying license at Stephens College in Missouri and later became the first female flight instructor at Fort Sill in Oklahoma. In 1961, she volunteered for NASA's Women in Space program, known as the Mercury 13, where she outperformed many of her male counterparts but was ultimately denied the chance to become an astronaut due to gender biases.
Despite these setbacks, Funk continued to break barriers in aviation. She logged over 19,600 flying hours and taught more than 3,000 people how to fly. In 2021, at the age of 82, she finally realized her dream of traveling into space aboard Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin rocket. At the time, she was the oldest person to launch into space, though this record has since been broken by William Shatner and Ed Dwight.
Funk's accomplishments have been widely recognized and honored. In 2024, she was inducted into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame, among other prestigious honors. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman posted on X that Funk's passion for flight, perseverance, and love of exploration will continue to inspire generations of Americans.
Funk's legacy extends beyond her spaceflight. She was the first female inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration and the first female air safety investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board. Her determination and optimism in the face of adversity have left a lasting impact on the aviation industry and beyond.
How this summary was created
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