Why is Wally Funk famous?

She became a symbol of overcoming gender barriers by reaching space at age 82 despite being rejected by NASA.

When was Blue Origin's first crewed flight?

On July 20, 2021, the New Shepard launched its first crewed mission from Texas.

What was the significance of Wally Funk's spaceflight?

It symbolized inclusivity, proving that space is accessible to women and the elderly.

What was the Mercury 13?

A group of 13 women who underwent astronaut training in the 1960s but were never officially selected by NASA.

Where did Wally Funk pass away?

She passed away at her home in Grapevine, Texas, at the age of 87.

Legendary Female Pilot Wally Funk Passes Away! Once Rejected by NASA, She Finally Fulfilled Her Dream on Bezos' Rocket

Published Jul 10, 2026 10:40 PM ・ Updated Jul 13, 2026 3:15 PM ・ 3 min read ・ Source: PR Times

Legendary female aviator Wally Funk has died at the age of 87. Initially excluded from NASA's early astronaut program due to her gender, she later joined Blue Origin's first crewed mission in 2021 at age 82, becoming the oldest person to reach space.

Legendary female pilot Wally Funk underwent astronaut training in the early space age alongside 12 other American women. Roughly 60 years later, she became the oldest person to reach space. This pioneering woman passed away yesterday in Texas at the age of 87.

According to Reuters, the city of Grapevine, Texas, where Wally Funk resided, announced her death today via social media. Funk passed away at her home last night. The statement did not mention the cause of death. Grapevine is located in the Dallas suburbs.

Funk was excluded from NASA's early astronaut teams due to her gender. In her later years, she was invited as a guest on the first crewed mission of New Shepard, operated by Blue Origin, the company founded by Amazon.com's Jeff Bezos, regaining media spotlight. Besides Bezos and Funk, two other passengers joined the flight in July 2021.

In a video posted on Blue Origin's official website weeks before launch, Funk said: 'I never thought I'd actually get to fly up there in my lifetime.'

The approximately 10-minute suborbital spaceflight made 82-year-old Funk the oldest person ever to reach outer space, breaking the previous record set in 1998 by John Glenn, the former 'Mercury' astronaut who returned to space at age 77 aboard a NASA space shuttle while serving as a U.S. senator.

After New Shepard safely landed in the Texas desert, Funk stepped out of the capsule and told reporters: 'I've waited a long time. I'd like to go again, as soon as possible.'

FACT BOX

Source: PR Times
Category: News
Organizations: Blue Origin / NASA / Amazon.com
Products / services: New Shepard

Legendary Female Pilot Wally Funk Passes Away! Once Rejected by NASA, She Finally Fulfilled Her Dream on Bezos' Rocket

⚡ Key Points

FACT BOX

Editorial & Verification Standards

FAQ

Cite this article — HOW TO CITE

AI CRAWLER ACTIVITY