Record shattering skydiver Dororthy Hoffner dies at 104

Dorothy Hoffner, the 104-year-old Chicago-born skydiving phenomenon, died Monday evening, just days after making history and becoming the oldest skydiver on record. A spokesperson for Hoffner stated that her recent record-breaking skydiving experience was an incredible cap to her "exciting, well-lived life."

On October 1, Hoffner, a lifelong Chicago resident, jumped from a plane at Skydive Chicago Airport in Ottawa, Illinois, about 80 miles southwest of Chicago. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, she said, "There was nothing scary about it." 

Hoffner broke the Guinness World Record for the oldest tandem parachute jump set in 2022 by a 103-year-old in Sweden. However, Hoffner didn't care much for the record or the focus on her age, calling it "ridiculous."

Hoffner emphasized that age should not limit people's experiences. She told the Sun-Times a day after her jump, "What has age got to do with what you're doing? I'm 104-years-old, so what?" Hoffner had even mentioned the possibility of a future jump, considering inviting a 109-year-old friend to join her. 

Though she remained unsure about making another leap, her team celebrated her spirit, stating, "You cannot say Dorothy didn't live life to the fullest!" 

Dorothy Hoffner's fearless approach to life and her world-record-breaking skydive serve as an inspiration, proving that age is just a number and that life should be lived to the fullest, no matter how old you are.