She was the most internationally recognised New Zealander of the 1930's as she made a large amount of record-breaking flights across the world. One of her most known flights was from England to Australia in her Havilland Gypsy Moth, which beat previous record holder, Amy Johnson's time by over four days.
She spent most of her career completing successful flights all over the world, attracting the attention of the media, earning praise from her many many fans and becoming a role model to young aspiring aviators. Most of her life was kept private as she spent the majority of her time with her mother, with whom she had a very strong bond, staying out of the spotlight.
She passed away after refusing medical care of a dog bite she received while living in Spain. Her death was not known to the public or her family until a few years after.
Tributes to her bravery and accomplishments have been created in numerous places in New Zealand, many in her hometown of Rotorua. Her legacy lives on as she is recognised as one of the most important and famous aviators in history.
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| Jean in her signature white flying uniform. |
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| Jean and her aviation mascot, a black cat known as Buddy. |
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| Jean Batten with her New Zealand Aero Club trophy, December 23, 1937 |
