Wally Funk was an American aviator, commercial astronaut, and goodwill ambassador. She became famous as the oldest person to travel to space aboard a Blue Origin flight on July 20, 2021. In July 2021, Jeff Bezos, the world’s richest person, chose Wally Funk to accompany him on his suborbital flight on July 20, 2021. Funk passed away at her home in Grapevine in July 2026.
Wally Funk Biography
| Full Name | Mary Wallace Funk |
| Nickname | Wally Funk |
| Profession | Aviator, commercial astronaut, and goodwill ambassador |
| Date of Birth | 8 July 2026 |
| Age | 87 years old (at the time of his death in July 2026) |
| Birth Place | Las Vegas, New Mexico, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| School | She did her schooling in Taos, a town in New Mexico |
| College | Stephen’s College in Columbia, Missouri Oklahoma State University |
| Education Qualification | Associate of Arts degree from Stephen’s College Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education |
| Gender | Female |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Date of Death | 8 July 2026 |
| Place of Death | Grapevine, Texas, USA |
| Cause of Death | Not revealed |
Wally Funk Age
Wally Funk (Mary Wallace Funk) was born on 1 February 1939 in Las Vegas, New Mexico, United States of America. She was 87 years old at the time of her death in July 2026, and his zodiac sign was Aquarius.
Relationships And More
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Affairs/Boyfriend | None |
| Spouse/Husband | None |
| Children | None |
Wally Funk Family
| Father’s Name | Lozier Funk |
| Mother’s Name | Virginia Shy Funk |
| Brother’s Name | None |
| Sister’s Name | None |
Career
| 1956 | She earned her pilot’s license at age 16 |
| 1960 | She became the youngest civilian flight instructor in the U.S., at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. |
| 1961 | She passed the grueling physiological testing of the privately funded mercury 13 program |
| 1970s to 1980s | She established a legendary aviation career, racking up flight hours and winning the Pacific Air Race in 1975. |
| 2021 | she made global headlines on 20 July 2021, when she flew on Blue Origin’s New Shepard spacecraft, |
| 2021 | At 82, years old, she became the oldest person to space at that time |
| 2026 | She passed away on 8 July 2026, at the age of 87. |
Wally Funk Height And Weight
| Height (approx) | In centimeters – 170 cm In meters – 1.70 m In feet & inches – 5’7” |
| Weight (approx) | In kilograms – 58 kg In pounds – 128 lbs |
| Eye Colour | Hazel Brown |
| Hair Colour | Gray |
Wally Funk Net Worth
American aviator and commercial astronaut Wally Funk had an estimated net worth of around $100,000 to $1 million at the time of his death in July 2026. Her wealth primarily comes from her remarkable career spanning space exploration.
| Net Worth (Approx) | $100,000 to $1 million (at the time of his death in July 2026) |
| Real Estate | She owns a home in Grapevine, Texas, USA |
| Income sources | Through her work in space exploration |
Some Interesting Facts About Wally Funk
- Wally Funk was born in Las Vegas, New Mexico, and grew up in Taos, New Mexico.
- Her parents, Lozier Funk and Virginia Shy Funk, owned a variety store.
- When she was one year old, her family moved to New Mexico, and she got up close to a Douglas DC-3, an early airliner.
- At age 14, she became an expert marksman, receiving the Distinguished Rifleman’s Award.
- Funk left high school early at the age of 16 and entered Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri.
- Wally Funk graduated in 1958 with her pilot’s license and an Associate of Arts degree.
- She also attended Oklahoma State University (OSU), where she completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education.
- Funk was a member of Alpha Chi Omega, Gamma Epsilon chapter, while at OSU.
- Her first job was at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, as a civilian flight instructor.
- Funk earned her Airline Trasport Rating in 1968, the 58th woman I the U.S. to do so.
- In 1971, Funk earned the rating of flight inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration.
- In 1974, Funk was hired by the National Transportation Safety Board as its first female Air Safety Investigator.
- Funk retired from her post as an Air Safety Investigator in 1985 after serving for 11 years.
- After the Mercury 13 program was canceled, Funk became a goodwill ambassador.
- She enjoyed sports and restoring antique automobiles, with a collection that included a 1951 Hooper Silver Wraith.
- Funk had over 18,6000 flight hours, and as of June 2019, flew each Saturday as an instructor.
- Wally Funk died at her home in Grapevine on July 8, 2026.
FAQ:
How old is Wally Funk?
At the time of his death in 2026, Wally Funk was 87 years old.
Who is Wally Funk’s husband?
Wally Funk was unmarried all her life.
What is Wally Funk’s net worth?
As of July 2026, Wally Funk’s net worth is around $100,000 to $1 million.