In an era where too many are content to sit back and let life pass by, one British centenarian is defying the odds and reminding us all what it means to truly live. Manette Baillie, a 102-year-old dynamo from Suffolk, England, isn’t slowing down—she’s speeding up. This former World War II cadet from the Women’s Royal Naval Service celebrated her latest birthday by doing what most people half her age wouldn’t dare: she jumped out of an airplane.
Yes, you read that right. At an age when most are reminiscing about days gone by, Manette is still creating new memories—memories that involve plummeting from 15,000 feet in the air, all for a good cause. Her daring leap raised over $13,000 (£10,000) for charities across the UK, including the East Anglian Air Ambulance, a service close to her heart.
Baillie’s incredible feat is not her first brush with high-octane adventure. Two years ago, on her 100th birthday, she decided that a stroll in the park simply wouldn’t do. Instead, she tore up the track at the British Grand Prix, reaching speeds of 130 miles per hour in a Ferrari. If anyone thought she’d be satisfied after that, they were sorely mistaken.
“You must always look for something new,” Baillie told reporters with a mischievous glint in her eye. Her zest for life is not just admirable; it’s infectious. When a friend mentioned that her 85-year-old father had recently completed his first skydive, Baillie didn’t hesitate. “If an 85-year-old man can do it, so can I,” she said, proving once again that she’s cut from the cloth of a generation that knew no fear.
Gathered at an airfield in Benhall Green, where Baillie has lived for over three decades, a crowd of friends, family, and supporters watched in awe as she took to the skies. As the door of the plane opened, there was no hesitation. “When the door opened, I thought, there is nothing more I can do or say. Just jump,” she recounted. And jump she did, making history as Britain’s oldest skydiver—a title previously held by Verdun Hayes, who set the record at 101 years and 38 days.
Her courage didn’t go unnoticed. Even Prince William took the time to send his best wishes, saying, “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 Prince, who once served with the East Anglian Air Ambulance, added, “I know how many lives are saved due to the generosity of people like you.”
Baillie’s life is a testament to the values that made her generation great—courage, generosity, and an unyielding spirit. But if you ask her, she’ll tell you that her longevity has less to do with genetics and more to do with staying engaged and active. “Keep busy, be interested in everything, be kind to those around you and let them be kind to you,” she advised. And of course, in true Baillie fashion, she added, “And don’t forget to party.”
In a world that often seems obsessed with youth, Manette Baillie is a breath of fresh air—a reminder that life doesn’t end at 65, 75, or even 100. It’s a story that speaks to the heart of conservatism: the value of individual spirit, the importance of giving back, and the belief that no challenge is too great when faced with courage and conviction. Here’s to you, Manette. May we all take a page out of your book.
