Death-defying pioneer parachute artist Miss Hazel Keyes earned renown
across America, leaping from her balloon in the 1890s. Drawing
spectators to her parachuting performances by the thousands for more
than a decade jumping with her monkey, Miss Jennie Yan Yan, Hazel
endured relentless hardship and injury to earn her living and claim her
slice of fame. Suffering assault by friends, family, strangers, and the
earth, she survived her perilous occupation for more than a decade.
Following her career, the skydiving queen again garnered fame. She
blazed a new trail as she battled her husbands, sons, government
officials, and "bad actors" to maintain her wealth, sanity, and
property. The rock-tough woman persevered despite gunshot wounds,
emotional anguish, and betrayal. Her tale of fortitude stands remarkable
in the annals of American history.