At 71, Kerala grandmother goes skydiving from 13,000 feet and breaks record. Her next mission will surprise you

At 71, most people are content with watching the skies from their balcony. But Leela Jose from Kerala had other plans — she wanted to jump right out of an aircraft and into the clouds. Last month in Dubai, she became the oldest woman from the state to skydive from 13,000 feet, setting a record and proving that age really is just a number. And now, she’s got her sights on something even bolder: space.

Leela, a homemaker from Konnathady in Idukki, had often joked with her friends about how thrilling skydiving would be. While they laughed it off as impossible, she quietly held onto the dream. The chance came when she visited her son, P. Anish, in Dubai. When she told him about her plan, he first dismissed it as a whimsical thought. But once he realised she was serious, he got in touch with a skydiving team. The crew assumed Anish was the one who wanted to leap, only to be stunned when Leela turned up, determined and ready.

As per The Telegraph, the jump cost around Rs 2 lakh, covering the flight, a guide, and a videographer to capture every second. For Leela, it was worth every bit. She described the freefall as a rush of joy, fear, and exhilaration all at once. Floating weightless in the air, she decided to let go of every thought. When the parachute opened at 6,000 feet, she knew she was heading for a safe landing.

Back home in Idukki, Leela wasted no time showing her friends the videos and pictures. The same people who once mocked her ambition were left speechless before cheering her courage and resilience. She admits their reactions — from shock to admiration — only added to the joy of her achievement.