Wally Funk, space and aviation pioneer who, at 82, became the oldest person to fly in space, died after a lifetime of dedication to making space travel accessible to women.
Funk, 87, died Wednesday at her home in Grapevine, Texas, according to the city.
Born Mary Wallace Funk on Feb. 1, 1939, in Las Vegas, New Mexico, the Oklahoma State University graduate inspired generations of pilots and astronauts through her trailblazing work as a member of NASA’s “Women in Space Program” in the 1960s. Funk was the last surviving member of the program, also called the Mercury 13, and the lone member to travel to space.
At age 16, Funk attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, and enrolled in the aviation program, according to The Ninety-Nines Inc. She graduated in 1958 with an associate degree and her pilot's license and moved on to complete a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education at Oklahoma State University, according to the Ninety-Nines. While at OSU, Funk joined its famous "Flying Aggies" program and earned a large number of aviation certificates and ratings.
An undated photograph of aviator Wally Funk.
Her first job at age 20 was at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where she was the first female civilian flight instructor at a US military base. Later, she was also the first female Federal Aviation Administration inspector.
An inspiration to many, Funk's life revolved around flying: she logged more than 19,600 flight hours and instructed thousands of pilots. Funk also was a dedicated member of the Oklahoma City-based Ninety-Nines International Organization for Women Pilots since 1958.
In a tribute posted to social media, the organization shared that Funk "embodied Amelia Earhart’s spirit of adventure and the unwavering belief that women belong in every corner of aviation."
Funk is remembered for her accomplishments, but also for how she lifted others, the Ninety-Nines said.
"They remember her infectious smile, boundless energy, unmistakable laugh, and genuine joy every time she climbed into an airplane or encouraged another person to chase their dreams. She never lost the excitement of a young girl who looked skyward and believed she belonged there," the post said.
"For The Ninety-Nines, Wally represented everything our founders envisioned. She opened doors she was never invited to enter, then held those doors open for every woman who followed. She showed us that perseverance can outlast prejudice, that excellence speaks louder than barriers, and that dreams have no expiration date."
Wally Funk reacts July 20, 2021, in Van Horn, Texas, after receiving her astronaut's wings from Blue Origin's Jeff Ashby, a former space shuttle commander, at a post-launch news conference after she flew with three crewmates on Blue Origin's inaugural flight to the edge of space.
NASA rejected Funk in 1961, when it cut the "Women in Space" program short. After a series of rigorous physical and mental testing — including swallowing three feet of rubber hose, drinking radioactive water and spending 12 hours in an isolation tank — Funk ranked third out of the 13 qualifying female candidates.
Despite that Funk reportedly did better than some of the men participating in the same testing, NASA rescinded its support for the program, a move now recognized as discrimination against women.
Over the years, NASA rejected Funk four times. But her lifelong dream of traveling to space became reality on July 20, 2021, when she launched aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard NS-16 mission with Jeff Bezos and other crew members.
At 82, she became the oldest person ever to travel to space on the 2021 flight, earning a Guinness World Record. Her record was then passed by Ed Dwight, who flew on Blue Origin's New Shepard NS-25 in 2024 at 90 years, 8 months and 10 days.
In Bezos' announcement that Funk would join him, he said, "No one has waited longer."
In 2021, following Funk's successful trip to space, then-Director of the Ninety-Nines and Funk's close friend Monica Randolph-Graham said Funk's dream to go to space never faded.
"She is the poster child of never giving up on your dream," she said, "never quitting, never allowing anything to stop you."
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman shared his condolences for Funk's loss on social media but also remembered the legend fondly.
"Wally Funk never stopped believing that one day she would reach space. Her passion for flight, perseverance, and love of exploration will continue to inspire generations of Americans," he said. "Godspeed, Wally."
