Who is Felix Baumgartner?
Felix Baumgartner was an Austrian extreme sports athlete, best known for his breathtaking skydiving and BASE jumping feats. Gaining global fame for the Red Bull Stratos mission in 2012, he became the first human to break the sound barrier in free fall. Felix was celebrated for his daredevil spirit, pushing human limits in aerial stunts, high-altitude jumps, and aviation achievements, inspiring millions across the world.
Field | Information |
Full Name | Felix Baumgartner |
Nickname | Fearless Felix |
Profession | Skydiver, BASE Jumper, Extreme Athlete |
Known For | Red Bull Stratos Space Jump (2012) |
Date of Birth | April 20, 1969 |
Place of Birth | Salzburg, Austria |
Nationality | Austrian |
Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
Date of Death | July 17, 2025 |
Age at Death | 56 Years Old |
Death Cause | Paragliding Accident (Medical Emergency) |
Years Active | 1988 – 2025 |
Marital Status | Unmarried |
Partner | Mihaela Rădulescu (2014–2025) |
Children | None |
Languages Known | German, English |
Felix Baumgartner Early Life
Felix Baumgartner was born on April 20, 1969, in Salzburg, Austria. From an early age, he displayed a fascination with the sky, aviation, and mechanics. As a child, Felix dreamt of flying and loved building model aircraft. His early exposure to Austria’s scenic alpine landscapes further fueled his passion for heights and adventure. He completed technical studies and served in the Austrian military, where he honed his parachuting skills as part of a specialized parachute team.
Felix Baumgartner Education
Felix completed his primary and secondary education in Salzburg. His military service played a crucial role in his skydiving education, providing professional training in parachuting and aerial navigation. His formal educational background was technical, but his real schooling came from years of real-life extreme sports practice and disciplined military training.
Felix Baumgartner Family
Felix Baumgartner came from a modest Austrian family. He often spoke about the support of his mother during his career, though he kept most family details private to protect their privacy. Felix had no children and was unmarried at the time of his death, though he was in a long-term relationship with Romanian television host Mihaela Rădulescu.
Relationship | Name |
Father | Not Publicly Known |
Mother | Eva Baumgartner |
Siblings | Not publicly disclosed |
Partner | Mihaela Rădulescu (2014–2025) |
Children | None |
Felix Baumgartner Career
Felix Baumgartner’s career began with skydiving at the age of 16. By the 1990s, he transitioned into BASE jumping, performing jumps from some of the world’s tallest buildings and natural structures. His bold style and precision gained the attention of Red Bull, who became his lifelong sponsor.
Major Career Highlights:
- 1999: Set the record for the lowest BASE jump from Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer Statue.
- 2003: Achieved the first-ever skydive across the English Channel using a specially made carbon-fiber wing.
- 2007: BASE jumped from the Turning Torso skyscraper in Sweden.
- 2012: His most iconic feat, the Red Bull Stratos Project, saw him jump from 38,969 meters (127,852 feet) above Earth, becoming the first human to exceed the speed of sound in free fall without vehicular assistance.
- Post-Stratos: He later became involved in aerobatic flying and motorized paragliding and also trained in helicopter piloting.
Felix’s daring exploits combined science, courage, and entertainment, and he played a key role in advancing aerospace research through his Stratos jump.
Felix Baumgartner Social Media
Felix Baumgartner was quite active on social media, sharing glimpses of his training, aerial adventures, and personal life with his global fanbase.
Platform | Status at the Time of Death |
380K+ followers | |
1 Million+ followers | |
Twitter/X | 100K+ followers |
Felix Baumgartner Net Worth
At the time of his death in 2025, Felix Baumgartner’s estimated net worth stood at $4 million. His wealth primarily came from Red Bull sponsorships, media appearances, merchandise sales, and motivational speaking engagements.
Income Source | Estimated Earnings |
Red Bull Sponsorship & Endorsements | $2 million+ |
Public Appearances & Speeches | $1 million+ |
Media Rights & Documentaries | $500,000+ |
Estimated Net Worth (2025) | Around $4 million |
Felix Baumgartner Physical Appearance
Attribute | Details |
Height | 5 feet 7 inches (1.73 meters) |
Weight | 75 kg (165 lbs) |
Hair Color | Dark Brown |
Eye Color | Hazel |
Distinctive Feature | Athletic build, skydiving suit gear |
Felix Baumgartner Death and Legacy
Felix Baumgartner tragically passed away on July 17, 2025, at the age of 56. He died during a motorized paragliding flight in Porto Sant’Elpidio, Italy, reportedly after suffering a medical emergency mid-air. Despite rescue efforts, he crashed into a swimming pool, resulting in fatal injuries.
His passing shocked the adventure sports world, with tributes pouring in globally. Felix’s legacy is cemented as a trailblazer of human exploration, remembered for his fearless attitude and groundbreaking contributions to extreme sports and aerospace knowledge.
Interesting Facts about Felix Baumgartner
- Felix’s Stratos jump broke three world records: highest skydive, fastest free fall, and highest manned balloon flight.
- He had completed 2,500+ skydives in his lifetime.
- He was a motivational speaker, inspiring others to challenge their personal limits.
- His Stratos jump contributed vital data to future astronaut safety equipment.
- Felix also raced in the Nürburgring 24 Hours motorsport event.
- Licensed helicopter pilot with interests in aviation stunts.
- Long-term relationship with Romanian celebrity Mihaela Rădulescu since 2014.
FAQs
Q1. Who is Felix Baumgartner?
Felix Baumgartner was an Austrian skydiver and BASE jumper, known for his record-breaking Stratos jump from the edge of space.
Q2. When did Felix Baumgartner die?
He died on July 17, 2025, at the age of 56 during a motorized paragliding accident in Italy.
Q3. What was Felix Baumgartner’s biggest achievement?
His most famous achievement was the 2012 Red Bull Stratos jump, where he became the first person to break the sound barrier in free fall.
Q4. Was Felix Baumgartner married?
No, he was unmarried but was in a long-term relationship with Mihaela Rădulescu.
Q5. Did Felix Baumgartner have children?
No, he had no children.
Q6. What was Felix Baumgartner’s net worth?
His net worth was approximately $4 million.
Q7. How fast did Felix Baumgartner fall during Stratos?
He reached a speed of 1,357 km/h (Mach 1.25), breaking the sound barrier.
Q8. What records did Felix Baumgartner set?
He set records for highest skydive, fastest free fall, and highest manned balloon flight.
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