Felix Baumgartner
Felix Baumgartner was an Austrian skydiver and BASE jumper best known for the Red Bull Stratos jump on 14 October 2012, when he descended from the stratosphere and became the first person to break the sound barrier in freefall.
Felix Baumgartner was an Austrian skydiver and BASE jumper best known for the Red Bull Stratos jump on 14 October 2012, when he descended from the stratosphere and became the first person to break the sound barrier in freefall. He was born in Salzburg in 1969 and died in a paragliding accident in Italy in 2025. His stratospheric jump was a major global media event widely followed by Canadian audiences.
Early life and career
Baumgartner was born in Salzburg, Austria, in 1969. He became known as a professional skydiver and BASE jumper and was associated with Red Bull-sponsored extreme-sports projects.
Red Bull Stratos
In October 2012, Baumgartner jumped from a helium balloon at stratospheric altitude over New Mexico. The descent made him the first person to break the sound barrier in freefall and produced several skydiving world records.
Later life and death
Baumgartner remained identified with extreme aerial sports after the Stratos jump. He died on 17 July 2025 in a paragliding accident in Porto Sant'Elpidio, Italy.
Legacy
He is remembered as one of the most prominent figures in modern skydiving and BASE jumping. His stratospheric jump became a landmark event in both sports and human flight history.
Key facts
- He became internationally famous for the Red Bull Stratos project in 2012.
- His jump from a helium balloon in the stratosphere landed in New Mexico, United States.
- He set records for exit altitude and freefall distance during the jump.
- He died in a paragliding accident in Italy in July 2025.
Baumgartner’s 2012 stratospheric jump was a major global media event that was widely followed by Canadian audiences interested in aviation, skydiving, and extreme sports.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Felix Baumgartner?
What did Felix Baumgartner do in 2012?
Where did the Red Bull Stratos jump land?
What records did he set?
When did Felix Baumgartner die?
References
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felix_BaumgartnerSupports: Birth, nationality, Red Bull Stratos jump, world records, and death date/place.
- Red Bull — https://www.redbull.com/us-en/athlete/felix-baumgartnerSupports: Birth details, career background, Red Bull Stratos jump, speed, and record claims.
- BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2k7094e8xoSupports: Death in a paragliding accident in Italy and age at death.
- The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jul/18/skydive-pioneer-felix-baumgartner-who-jumped-from-edge-of-space-dies-in-paragliding-accidentSupports: Summary of his 2012 jump, nickname, and death in a paragliding crash.