Manette Baillie just celebrated her 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day by jumping out of a plane while raising over $13,000 for her favorite charities.UK Parachutist & Goldster/Bav Media / SplashNews.com
This 102-year-old daredevil is taking 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡days to new heights.
Manette Baillie, from Suffolk, England, celebrated another year of a life well-lived by jumping out of a plane — and raising over $13,000 (£10,000) for her favorite charities throughout the UK.
Manette Baillie served on the Women’s Royal Naval Service during World War II.UK Parachutist & Goldster/Bav Media / SplashNews.com
For her 100th 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day, Manette Baillie raced a Ferrari and reached 130 miles per hour.UK Parachutist & Goldster/Bav Media / SplashNews.com
Baillie, a former World War II cadet with the Women’s Royal Naval Service, is no stranger to taking risks: On her 100th 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day, she raced a Ferarri at the official track of the British Grand Prix, reaching 130 miles per hour.
“You must always look for something new,” she told reporters on Sunday while gathered for her high-flying feat. “I was once married to a paratrooper but have never done [a sky-dive] myself.”
She decided that skydiving would be her next big move when a friend shared that her 85-year-old father had recently completed his first jump. “If an 85-year-old man can do it, so can I,” Baillie said.
Baillie told BBC Radio Suffolk she’s grateful to be in such good shape for her age. “I’ve been so lucky to be fit and well that I’ve got to do something with it, that’s really the back of it,” she said. “I can’t just waste it, other people are crippled with arthritis and I’m not.”
A large crowd of friends, family and spectators gathered at an airfield in Benhall Green, which Baillie has called home for over three decades, to watch the grandmother sail the blue sky.
Manette Baillie raised money for three charities in her local community, including the East Anglian Air Ambulance who saved her son’s life in 1969.UK Parachutist & Goldster/Bav Media / SplashNews.com
Aside from the money she raised, Manette Baillie also earned the title of Britain’s oldest skydiver.UK Parachutist & Goldster/Bav Media / SplashNews.com
“When the door opened I thought, there is nothing more I can do or say. Just jump,” she told Sky News after the stunt. “Well, I suppose I jumped,” she continued, “I remember my legs going out and it’s a kind of blur. I shut my eyes. We seem to travel at a very fast speed.”
Aside from her altruistic achievement, Baillie also took Britain’s record for their oldest skydiver in history — a title previously held by Devon resident Verdun Hayes at 101 years and 38 days in May 2017, according to the Guardian.
Baillie’s jump was met with well-wishes from Prince William, who wrote, “Catherine and I hear you will be marking your 102nd 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day next week with a parachute jump! Knowing you celebrated your 100th 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day by racing a Ferrari around Silverstone, we are not surprised.”
The money Baillie raised will be going to support aid organizations within her local community, particularly the East Anglian Air Ambulance, whose first responders saved her son’s life after a car accident in 1969.
Manette Baillie says the secrets to living a long life are kindness, curiosity and partying.UK Parachutist & Goldster/Bav Media / SplashNews.com
Added the Duke of Cambridge in his letter, “From my time with East Anglian Air Ambulance, I know how many lives are saved due to the generosity of people like you.”
Baillie said she couldn’t have lived this long without the support of her loved ones — but that’s not all it takes, she told BBC Radio.
“Keep busy, be interested in everything, be kind to those around you and let them be kind to you,” she advised. “And don’t forget to party.”
