Inspiring: Denied astronaut wings decades ago, 82 year old woman Aviator will now go to space with Jeff Bezos

Wally Funk, 82 year old woman aviator will join Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, his brother and the secret winner of a charity auction to travel into space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket.

At the age of 82, she becomes the oldest person to launch into space by beating the late John Glenn, who set a record at age 77 when flying aboard space shuttle Discovery in 1998.

In 1961 Funk, 82, was a part of the ‘Mercury 13’ Woman in Space Program and despite completing her training as an astronaut, never got to travel into space.

“No one has waited longer. It’s time. Welcome to the crew, Wally. We’re excited to have you fly with us on July 20th as our honored guest,” Bezos says via Instagram