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Time of India
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Felix Baumgartner's partner breaks silence after fatal crash and shares last moments before the tragedy
(Image Source - Getty Images) Felix Baumgartner tragically died at the age of 56 in a paragliding accident in Italy. Renowned as "Fearless Felix," his passing has left the worldwide extreme sports community in grief. Mihaela Schwartzenberg, his partner for over 12 years, has finally opened up, sharing a touching video of his last flight and a moving tribute. Mihaela Schwartzenberg captures Felix Baumgartner 's final takeoff in haunting last video Mihaela Schwartzenberg disclosed the eerie footage she filmed of Baumgartner's last moments leading up to the tragic crash. "I was filming him taking off not knowing that this will be his last flight of his extraordinary life," She sent a message to her followers on the social media platform. The video, which was shared on Friday night, features Felix lifting off into the air on his paraglider, a view Mihaela had experienced countless times throughout their 12-year relationship. She mentioned how she had consistently stood by him, witnessing "nearly every one of his takeoffs and landings, from skydiving and paragliding to helicopter flights and beyond." When distance kept her away, they relied on a personal ritual: the "WLC code," short for "the Wifey Landing Call," a tradition they upheld without fail. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Treatment That Might Help You Against Knee Pain Knee pain | search ads Find Now Undo Mihaela showed appreciation for the overwhelming support from her fans and loved ones. She found a bittersweet peace in believing that Felix's spirit continues to shine in the skies he cherished. "Felix Baumgartner is going home now, up there, where he was the happiest ever.," she wrote. Yet, she was candid about the toll of his sudden death. Felix Baumgartner became the first human to break the sound barrier without a vehicle It is noted that Felix Baumgartner was a courageous and creative person who showed his skills in 2012 during his jump into the stratosphere. Under the sponsorship of the Red Bulls he flew over 24 miles above the ground in a helium balloon and parachuted to the ground to make a free fall that broke the sound barrier traveling at more than 843 miles per hour with the help of none. 'You don't really feel the speed because you have no indication. You know you're fast because you kind of feel it, you know but you never feel 800 miles an hour.' Baumgartener said to TMZ sports reporters when asked about reaching over the speed of 800 miles per hour. Millions of people witnessed what he had achieved live on the net, and so this earned him the life title of Fearless Felix with the entire world giving duly credit to his name as being the first man to attain this amazing feat. Baumgartner performed base jumps, parachute jumps from fixed structures, from well-known landmarks such as the Petronas Towers in Malaysia and the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, as seen in various biographies. Mihaela perfectly captured Felix's spirit, "up there, where he was at his happiest." While the investigation into his crash is still ongoing and the world reminisces about his amazing feats. FAQs Where did Felix Baumgartner's fatal crash occur? The crash occurred in Porto Sant'Elpidio, a coastal town in Italy, near a hotel swimming pool. How did Felix break the sound barrier in 2012? He achieved this during a free fall from the stratosphere, reaching speeds over 843 miles per hour. What caused Felix to lose control during his final paragliding flight? Reports indicate he became ill mid-flight, leading to a loss of control, as per reports. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
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Business Standard
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
Fearless Felix, skydiver who jumped from space, dies in paragliding crash
Felix Baumgartner, whose leap from the edge of space redefined the limits of human daring, has died at 56 in a tragic paragliding accident in central Italy, The daredevil Austrian skydiver leaves behind a legacy of etched in adrenaline and awe. The fatal crash occurred on Thursday, July 17, near Porto Sant'Elpidio, a seaside town on Italy's Adriatic coast. According to Italian broadcaster RAI and news agency Ansa, Baumgartner was piloting a motorised paraglider around 4 pm when he reportedly experienced physical discomfort and lost control of the craft. He crashed into the swimming pool of a local hotel and was declared dead at the scene. Italian firefighters confirmed the paraglider struck the side of the pool. An employee of the hotel was also hit during the fall and suffered minor neck injuries, according to Italian media. The specific cause of the loss of control has not yet been disclosed. Baumgartner's longtime partner, Romanian television presenter Mihaela Rădulescu, was present in the village at the time of the accident and has since been informed of his death, Sky Sports Austria reported. Porto Sant'Elpidio's mayor, Massimiliano Ciarpella, confirmed the incident and paid tribute to Baumgartner in a public statement. 'Our community is deeply affected by the tragic disappearance of Felix Baumgartner, a figure of global prominence, a symbol of courage and passion for extreme flight,' he said. Who was Felix Baumgartner? Popularly known as 'Fearless Felix', Baumgartner hailed from Salzburg, Austria. Born on April 20, 1969, he began skydiving at a young age and trained as a paratrooper in the Austrian military. Baumgartner built a reputation on high-risk, high-precision feats. In 1999, he made the world's lowest base jump, from the arm of Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer statue, and the same year completed the highest building jump from Malaysia's Petronas Towers. In 2003, he crossed the English Channel in freefall using a carbon-fibre wingsuit. His career was defined not only by records but by his relentless push against the boundaries of flight and human endurance. Skydiving from the edge of space Baumgartner rose to fame on October 14, 2012, when he leapt from a pressurised capsule suspended 128,100 feet (39,045 meters) above Earth by a helium balloon. The Red Bull Stratos project saw him become the first human to break the sound barrier in freefall, reaching a top speed of 843.6 mph, about 1.25 times the speed of sound, before safely parachuting into the New Mexico desert. Broadcast live to millions, the nine-minute descent broke multiple world records, including the highest-ever manned balloon flight, the highest parachute jump, and the fastest freefall. At one point during the fall, Baumgartner entered a flat spin while still supersonic, spinning uncontrollably for 13 seconds before recovering. A record-breaking moment of humility The stunt was supervised by Joe Kittinger, a retired US Air Force officer and previous record-holder, who served as an advisor on the mission. 'When I was standing there on top of the world, you become so humble,' Baumgartner said afterwards. 'You don't think about breaking records anymore, you don't think about gaining scientific data — the only thing that you want is to come back alive.' Though his altitude record was surpassed in 2014 by Google executive Alan Eustace, the 2012 Red Bull Stratos jump remains one of the most iconic moments in modern extreme sports. He is survived by Rădulescu, his family, and a global community of fans, aviators, and extreme sports enthusiasts who viewed him as the embodiment of fearless ambition.
Powys County Times
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
First skydiver to fall faster than speed of sound dies in crash in Italy
Extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner, the first skydiver to fall faster than the speed of sound during a 24-mile leap through the stratosphere more than a decade ago, died in a crash on Thursday along the eastern coast of Italy. He was 56. Italian firefighters said a paraglider crashed into the side of a swimming pool in the city of Porto Sant Elpidio. The city's mayor, Massimiliano Ciarpella, confirmed Baumgartner's death in a social media post. 'Our community is deeply affected by the tragic disappearance of Felix Baumgartner, a figure of global prominence, a symbol of courage and passion for extreme flight,' Mr Ciarpella said. Baumgartner, known as 'Fearless Felix', stunned the world in 2012 when he became the first human to break the sound barrier with only his body. He wore a pressurised suit and jumped from a capsule hoisted more than 24 miles above Earth by a giant helium balloon over New Mexico. The Austrian, who was part of the Red Bull Stratos team, topped out at 843.6 mph, the equivalent of 1.25 times the speed of sound, during a nine-minute descent. 'When I was standing there on top of the world, you become so humble, you do not think about of breaking records any more, you do not think of about gaining scientific data. 10 YEARS AGO 🚀 it's been a decade since Felix Baumgartner achieved the *iconic* space jump with Red Bull Stratos and nope we've not been the same since 🤩 new documentary released today – watch now 👉 #redbullstratos #spacejump #felixbaumgartner — Red Bull (@redbull) October 14, 2022 'The only thing you want is to come back alive,' he said after landing in the eastern New Mexico desert. The altitude from which he jumped also marked the highest for a skydiver, shattering the previous record set in 1960 by Joe Kittinger, who was an adviser to Baumgartner during his feat. Baumgartner's altitude record stood for two years until Google executive Alan Eustace set new marks for the highest free-fall jump and greatest free-fall distance. In 2012, millions watched YouTube's livestream as Baumgartner coolly flashed a thumbs-up when he came out of the capsule high above Earth and then activated his parachute as he neared the ground, lifting his arms in victory after he landed. Baumgartner, a former Austrian military parachutist, made thousands of jumps from planes, bridges, skyscrapers and famed landmarks around the world, including the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil. In 2003 he flew across the English Channel in a carbon fibre wing after being dropped from a plane. In recent years, he performed with The Flying Bulls as a helicopter stunt pilot in shows across Europe. He later said travelling faster than sound is 'hard to describe because you don't feel it'.
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
Skydiver Felix Baumgartner dies at 56
Felix Baumgartner, the fearless extreme sportsman behind many legendary stunts, has died. He was 56. According to the Associated Press, Baumgartner died in a paragliding accident in Italy on Thursday. Local officials said Baumgartner crashed into the side of a hotel pool, according to the AP. Hours before, Baumgartner posted an image on his Instagram story and wrote in text on screen, "Too much wind." The daredevil and extreme sports enthusiast is best known as the man who fell from the edge of space. In the 2012 stunt titled Red Bull Stratos, which the energy drink brand financed, Baumgartner successfully landed back on Earth after diving 24 miles from the edge of space, in a plummet that reached a speed of more than 500 mph. Baumgartner recalled the legendary jump in the documentary, "Space Jump," and said, "I was the first human being outside of an aircraft breaking the speed of sound and the history books. Nobody remembers the second one.' Following the news of his death on Thursday, Red Bull shared a statement with ABC News and said they are "shocked and overwhelmed with sadness" about the news of Baumgartner. "Felix was 'born to fly' and was determined to push the limits," the statement continued. "He was also smart, professional, thorough and meticulous, never leaving anything to chance. He was generous, giving much of his time to help and inspiring so many people." Red Bull added, "We remember Felix as a lovely person, devoted to his family and friends, to whom we send our heartfelt sympathy. Felix, you will be deeply missed." Born in Salzburg, Austria, on April 20, 1969, Baumgartner began skydiving at the age of 16, according to his bio on his official website. He "extended his skills as part of the Austrian military's demonstration and competition team" and began doing skydiving exhibitions for Red Bull in 1988. Baumgartner, also known as "Fearless Felix," accomplished many records in his career, including setting the world record for highest parachute jump atop the Petronas Towers in Malaysia, flying across the English Channel in a wingsuit in 2003, and base jumping from the 85-foot arm of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil in 2007. In an essay for Newsweek in 2022, Baumgartner reflected on his legendary jump from the edge of space and shared why it "mattered" to him to be the "first human to break the speed of sound in freefall." "Since I was a little kid, I've always looked up to people who left a footprint on this planet," he said. "I called them 'map makers'—people who drew a map so others could follow. I always wanted to be one of them but I never knew what my map could be, what kind of footprint I could leave on this planet. But now I think I have left a footprint." He added, "I believe big dreamers always win. This time 10 years ago my team and I were considered to be big dreamers. We were the underdog, and a lot of people did not believe in us. But we taught them a lesson. And now, a decade later, it's time to enjoy what we have accomplished."
San Francisco Chronicle
17-07-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Felix Baumgartner, the first skydiver to fall faster than the speed of sound, dies in crash in Italy
MILAN (AP) — Extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner, the first skydiver to fall faster than the speed of sound during a 24-mile leap through the stratosphere more than a decade ago, was killed in a crash Thursday along the eastern coast of Italy, according to an official where the crash occurred. He was 56. Italian firefighters who responded said a paraglider crashed into the side of a swimming pool in the city of Porto Sant Elpidio. 'Our community is deeply affected by the tragic disappearance of Felix Baumgartner, a figure of global prominence, a symbol of courage and passion for extreme flight," the mayor said. Baumgartner, known as 'Fearless Felix,' stunned the world in 2012 when he became the first human to break the sound barrier with only his body. He wore a pressurized suit and jumped from a capsule hoisted more than 24 miles (39 kilometers) above Earth by a giant helium balloon over New Mexico. The Austrian, who was part of the Red Bull Stratos team, topped out at 843.6 mph — the equivalent of 1.25 times the speed of sound — during a nine-minute descent. At one point, he went into a potentially dangerous flat spin while still supersonic, spinning for 13 seconds, his crew later said. 'When I was standing there on top of the world, you become so humble, you do not think about of breaking records anymore, you do not think of about gaining scientific data. The only thing you want is to come back alive,' he said after landing in the eastern New Mexico desert. The altitude he jumped from also marked the highest-ever for a skydiver, shattering the previous record set in 1960 by Joe Kittinger, who served as an adviser to Baumgartner during his feat. Baumgartner's altitude record stood for two years until Google executive Alan Eustace set new marks for the highest free-fall jump and greatest free-fall distance. In 2012, millions watched YouTube's livestream as Baumgartner coolly flashed a thumbs-up when he came out of the capsule high above Earth and then activated his parachute as he neared the ground, lifting his arms in victory after he landed. Baumgartner, a former Austrian military parachutist, made thousands of jumps from planes, bridges, skyscrapers and famed landmarks around the world, including the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil. In 2003, he flew across the English Channel in a carbon fiber wing after being dropped from a plane. Baumgartner said after his record-breaking jump in 2012 that traveling faster than sound is 'hard to describe because you don't feel it.' 'Sometimes we have to get really high to see how small we are,' he said.
