World’s Oldest Female Scuba Diver Jane Rhodes Martin Dies at 99
Jane Rhodes Martin, recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest female scuba diver, has died at the age of 99.
Martin died peacefully at her home on September 1, 2026, according to a memorial created by her family. She was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on March 24, 1927, and was living in South Pasadena, Florida.
Her Guinness World Record came through a dive at Isla Mujeres, Mexico, on March 23, 2022. Guinness officially records her age at the time as 94 years and 364 days, meaning the dive took place one day before her 95th birthday.
Diving Began After Retirement
Martin did not spend her whole life as a scuba diver. She began diving at the age of 55 after retiring from her career as a teacher.
In a 2023 interview with Spectrum News, Martin said she and her husband took up diving after retirement. The couple subsequently travelled extensively and spent several years pursuing a life centred around sailing, travel and the water.
Martin had spent much of her adult life on Long Island, New York, where she raised her family and worked as a teacher. Her family memorial states that she earned a bachelor’s degree from Birmingham Southern University and later a master’s degree from Adelphi University in New York.
She married Jack Martin in 1949. Their years after retirement included extensive travel and sailing before his death in 2008.
Scuba diving became part of that life of exploration.
A Family Record Dive in Mexico
Martin’s record setting dive in Mexico was also very much a family occasion.
Pocna Dive Center in Isla Mujeres, which hosted the dive, reported that several generations of Martin’s family joined the trip. Some members of the family dived while others snorkelled, with the group sharing the boat during the celebration.
Martin already had a connection with Isla Mujeres. According to Pocna Dive Center, she had travelled there for her 90th birthday in 2017, when members of her family joined her for diving and sailing.
She returned for the dive that would ultimately receive Guinness World Records recognition.
Guinness lists the official record as Oldest scuba diver, female, achieved by Jane Rhodes Martin of the United States in Isla Mujeres on March 23, 2022.
The recognition itself came later. By November 2023, Spectrum News reported that Martin had received her Guinness certificate and celebrated the achievement with family and friends.
Martin remained characteristically modest about the achievement. In an interview later published by Pocna Dive Center, she reflected that reaching such an age was not something she had deliberately set out to accomplish.
Diving Continued Into Her 90s
Martin continued to express an interest in diving after the record setting trip.
Pocna Dive Center reported in 2023 that she had subsequently been diving in the Florida Keys and intended to continue diving. She also maintained her fitness through regular swimming.
Her enthusiasm for exploration extended beyond the ocean.
During her Spectrum News interview at the age of 96, Martin spoke about another ambition: travelling into space. Her family had previously entered her into a contest for a spaceflight, and she remained interested in experiencing a completely different perspective from the underwater world she knew so well.
A Diving Family
Martin’s involvement in scuba diving also extended across generations of her family.
Pocna Dive Center reported that several of her children and grandchildren became involved in diving and sailing. Family members were also instrumental in documenting her Mexico dive and pursuing the Guinness World Records recognition.
Her family memorial says she is survived by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Male Record Holder Celebrates 106th Birthday
Martin held Guinness World Records recognition in the female category. The corresponding male record is held by American diver William Lambert.
Lambert celebrated his 106th birthday on September 5, 2026, according to Boston 25 News. He was born on September 5, 1920 and received Guinness recognition after completing a scuba dive at the age of 100.
Boston 25 reported that Lambert completed a 27 minute nitrox dive at Pearl Lake in South Beloit, Illinois, as part of the achievement that earned him the record.
Martin’s record and Lambert’s achievement represent two unusual stories within recreational scuba diving, particularly because both continued exploring underwater at ages far beyond those normally associated with the sport.
For Martin, however, the Guinness title was only part of a much longer story. Her life combined teaching, family, sailing, travel and decades of diving, with underwater exploration continuing well into her 90s.
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