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felix baumgartner

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Austrian skydiver and extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner has died in a paragliding accident at age 56 in Porto Sant’Elpidio, Italy[1][3][5]. The accident occurred on Thursday, July 17, 2025, when Baumgartner lost consciousness and control of his paraglider, crashing into a hotel pool. A young female employee at the hotel sustained minor injuries in the incident[1][3][5]. Just hours before, Baumgartner had posted on social media about strong winds in the area[1]. Red Bull, which sponsored his many exploits, confirmed his death to media.

Felix Baumgartner was world-famous for his record-breaking jump from the stratosphere in October 2012. As part of the Red Bull Stratos project, he ascended nearly 39 kilometers (24 miles) above Earth via helium balloon before free-falling at speeds reaching 1,342.8 km/h (834 mph), becoming the first human to break the sound barrier outside a vehicle[1][4][6]. This stunt not only secured him a place in history for the highest manned balloon flight and the highest parachute jump to date but also contributed valuable scientific data to aerospace research, particularly in high-altitude escape systems, spacecraft design, and human physiology under extreme conditions[4].

Throughout his career, Baumgartner was celebrated for pushing the boundaries of BASE-jumping and extreme sports, carrying out feats from iconic structures worldwide such as the Petronas Towers and Christ the Redeemer[1]. He was also known as a skilled helicopter pilot and a race car driver, holding licenses for various helicopters and participating in international racing events[2]. Baumgartner was active in philanthropy, supporting the Wings For Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation and developing his humanitarian project FLY 4 LIFE[2].

In his later years, Baumgartner drew controversy for his political statements, notably criticizing migration policies in Austria and Germany, promoting a “moderate dictatorship” over democracy, and endorsing right-wing politicians[1].

Despite the risks, Baumgartner’s passion for adventure defined his life. He famously said, “I belong to the air, I was born for these emotions”[1]. His legacy continues to inspire a generation of scientists, engineers, and extreme athletes[4].

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