"No Age Is Too Late to Achieve Dreams"... 104-Year-Old American Grandma Skydives from 4115m

First Skydiving Challenge at 100 Years Old
"Age Is Just a Number"

A 104-year-old grandmother in the United States is attracting attention by challenging the record for the 'world's oldest skydiver.'

According to Chicago media on the 2nd (local time), Dorothy Hopfner (104), who lives in Chicago, Illinois, successfully completed her second skydive at the 'Skydive Chicago Airport' near Ottawa, Chicago, the day before.

Hopfner boarded a small aircraft and ascended to an altitude of 13,500 feet (about 4,115 meters), connected to an expert with a safety harness, and landed on the ground about 7 minutes after jumping.

Hopfner recalled that she first tried skydiving at the age of 100. She said, "I first tried skydiving for fun at 100 years old, following a friend, and it became one of the best experiences of my life." She added, "The feeling of gently drifting down from the sky is wonderful. Anyone should try it at least once."

On the 1st (local time), Dorothy Hopner (below), who is 104 years old this year, is skydiving in Ottawa, Illinois, USA. Hopner successfully completed her second skydive of her life on this day and is currently awaiting registration in the Guinness World Records as the "world's oldest skydiver."
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Wearing a sky-blue sweater and black pants instead of a jumpsuit, Hopfner boarded the plane and shouted, "Let's go, let's go." Then, her white hair fluttered in the wind as she descended. As she neared the ground, Hopfner lightly lifted both legs and landed safely. People gathered near the landing site cheered and applauded her.

Hopfner waved back to those waiting for her. She said, "Age is just a number," and "It's never too late to achieve your dreams."

The current Guinness World Record for the 'oldest skydiver' remains held by a 103-year-old Swedish grandmother who set the record last May. Hopfner will turn 105 this December, and 'Skydive Chicago' announced that they are pursuing Guinness record registration.

Hopfner worked as a telephone operator for a communications company since 1938 and lived her life single. She laughed, saying, "Not having a husband to take care of or children to be responsible for may have been a major factor in my longevity." She added, "The real secret to living a long and healthy life seems to be faith," and "I lived well without experiencing any major problems to the point of boredom."