Aviatrix. Born Marie-Louise Bombec in Limoges, France, her father died when she was eleven and she went to work in a shoe factory. An early first marriage failed, leaving her a son. A second marriage to Louis Bastié, a First World War pilot instilled in her a fascination with flight and she became a determined student. Her husband died in an air crash in 1926 and she made her living at aerobatics. Over the next few years she set several international records for female aviators including for duration flying, distance, and in September 1936, she flew her Caudron C-635 monoplane solo from Paris to Natal, Brazil. In 1935 she founded her own flying school. Bastié served in the French Air Force, rising to the rank of Captain, she was honored as a Commander of the Legion of Honor. In 1937, she published her memoir: 'Ailes ouvertes : carnet d'une aviatrice.' In 1952, Bastié was killed when her plane crashed on take off. In 1955, France issued an airmail stamp honoring her. The Lycée professionnel régional Maryse Bastié in Hayange-Marspich, the Lycée Maryse Bastié in Limoges, and the College Maryse Bastié in Reims are all named in her honor.
Aviatrix. Born Marie-Louise Bombec in Limoges, France, her father died when she was eleven and she went to work in a shoe factory. An early first marriage failed, leaving her a son. A second marriage to Louis Bastié, a First World War pilot instilled in her a fascination with flight and she became a determined student. Her husband died in an air crash in 1926 and she made her living at aerobatics. Over the next few years she set several international records for female aviators including for duration flying, distance, and in September 1936, she flew her Caudron C-635 monoplane solo from Paris to Natal, Brazil. In 1935 she founded her own flying school. Bastié served in the French Air Force, rising to the rank of Captain, she was honored as a Commander of the Legion of Honor. In 1937, she published her memoir: 'Ailes ouvertes : carnet d'une aviatrice.' In 1952, Bastié was killed when her plane crashed on take off. In 1955, France issued an airmail stamp honoring her. The Lycée professionnel régional Maryse Bastié in Hayange-Marspich, the Lycée Maryse Bastié in Limoges, and the College Maryse Bastié in Reims are all named in her honor.
Bio by: Iola
Advertisement
