On October 1, 2023, Dorothy Hoffner, a 104-year-old woman from Chicago, made history by completing a tandem skydive. This marked her second jump, her first having taken place on her 100th birthday. Hoffner leaped from the plane with a certified instructor from Skydive Chicago, breaking the Guinness World Record for the oldest person to ever skydive. Remarkably, she wasn’t nervous and even described the most thrilling moment as a gust of wind that spun them around midair.

Hoffner’s adventurous spirit had long been apparent to those around her. Her friend Joe Conant, who introduced her to skydiving in 2019, explained that she never aimed to set records; she simply loved trying new experiences. Even at her advanced age, Hoffner maintained a thrill-seeking attitude. Throughout her life, she had traveled extensively, visiting every U.S. state except Alaska, demonstrating a lifelong passion for exploration.

Her remarkable longevity may have been partly genetic, as her mother lived to 92 and her father into his 80s. Hoffner also faced and overcame significant challenges, including breast cancer and macular degeneration, which made driving and reading difficult. Despite these obstacles, she remained full of life, inspiring those around her with her resilience and positive outlook.

Tragically, just days after her record-breaking skydive, Dorothy Hoffner passed away peacefully in her sleep. Joe Conant confirmed that she died in her apartment at the Brookdale Senior Living facility. She had been planning to celebrate her 105th birthday with a hot air balloon ride, underscoring her unwavering adventurous spirit even in her final months.

Although Hoffner is no longer with us, her legacy continues to inspire. She proved that age is just a number and that a sense of adventure can endure throughout life. As she once reflected, she never expected to live so long, but she had a “very wonderful life,” leaving a lasting impression on everyone who witnessed her courage and joy.