Biography
Brigadier General Charles Elwood Yeager (1923–2020) was a legendary American test pilot and retired major general in the United States Air Force.
He achieved fame when he was the first person to officially break the sound barrier, reaching a speed of Mach 1.07 in the Bell X-1 rocket plane on October 14, 1947.
Yeager’s distinguished career included setting many aviation records, serving as one World War II ace with 11.5 aerial victories and made important contributions to the advancements of military aviation. Tom Wolfe’s book Right stuff and its film adaptation brought his remarkable life and achievements to life.
United States Air Force officer and distinguished pilot
Chuck Yeager |
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 Chuck Yeager: History ‧ Bio ‧ Photos |
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| Wiki Info & About Data | |
| Real name: | Brigadier General Charles Elwood Yeager |
| Stage name: | Chuck Yeager |
| Born: | February 13, 1923 (97 years old) |
| Place of birth: | Myra, West Virginia, USA |
| Died: | December 7, 2020 (97 years old), Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Nationality: | American |
| Education: | Hamlin High School, |
| Height: | 1.85 m |
| Parents: | Albert Hal Yeager, Susie Mae Yeager |
| Siblings: | Doris Ann Yeager, Pansy Lee Yeager, Hal Yeager Jr., Roy Yeager |
| Couple: | Victoria Scott D’Angelo (m. 2003–2020), Glennis Yeager (m. 1945–1990) |
| Girlfriend • Partner: | not applicable |
| Children: | Michael Yeager, Susan Yeager, Don Yeager, Sharon Yeager Flick |
| Job: | Air Force Officer • Flying Ace |
| Net worth: | 1.5 million USD (USD) |
Early Life & Education
Chuck Yeager was born on February 13, 1923 in Myra, West Virginia, a small community in Lincoln County. He is of Scotch-Irish descent, which is common in the Appalachian region where he grew up.
Yeager grew up in a Christian family, specifically in the Methodist tradition, although he was not known to publicly emphasize his religious beliefs. His father, Albert Hal Yeager, worked in the oil and gas industry, while his mother, Susie Mae Yeager, nee Sizemore, was a homemaker. Chuck is one of five children; He has two brothers, Roy and Hal, and two sisters, Doris Ann and Pansy Lee.
Yeager has graduated Hamlin High School in Lincoln County, West Virginia, in 1941. More interested in hunting and fishing than studying, he did not pursue further formal education immediately after graduating from high school but joined the United States Army Air Forces in that time. World War II.
His aviation education came from his military training, where he trained as an aircraft mechanic before becoming a pilot. He earned his pilot wings in 1943 at Luke Field, Arizona.
Career
Chuck Yeager’s career was both remarkable and transformative, including military service, test pilot, and significant contributions to aviation history. He joined the United States Army Air Forces in September 1941, starting as an aircraft mechanic before becoming a pilot in 1943.
During World War II, Yeager distinguished himself as a P-51 Mustang pilot in the European Theater, achieving “ace in a day” status by shooting down five enemy aircraft in one mission. By the end of the war, he had amassed 11.5 aerial victories and received honors, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, and the Bronze Star.
After the war, Yeager transferred to work as a test pilot at Muroc Army Air Field (now Edwards Air Force Base). On October 14, 1947, he made history as the first person to officially break the sound barrier, flying the experimental Bell X-1 rocket plane—nicknamed “Glamorous Glennis” to remembering his wife—at Mach 1.07 (about 700 mph) at Mach 1.07 (about 700 mph) at 45,000 feet.
Yeager continued to push the limits of aviation throughout the 1950s, setting speed and altitude records in experimental aircraft, including reaching speeds above Mach 2 in the X-1A in 1953 .
His career extended beyond test piloting to include commanding fighter squadrons and contributing to aircraft development. He also played a key role in the early space race initiatives by testing high-performance aircraft such as the NF-104A.
Yeager flew 127 combat missions in B-57 Canberra bombers during the Vietnam War. Promoted to major general, he retired in 1975 but remained deeply involved in aviation as a consultant and air show pilot.
Yeager’s career was not without danger. He has survived several crashes and accidents, demonstrating exceptional skill and resilience. Upon retirement, he became a famous public figure, sharing his experiences in his autobiography, Yeagerand through media appearances, including his prominent role in Right stuff.
Social Media
- Twitter: Chuck Yeager (@GenChuckYeager) / X
Personal life
Chuck Yeager married Glennis Faye Dickhouse (Glennis Yeager) on February 26, 1945, after meeting her before he traveled abroad. World War II. They had a 45-year marriage until Glennis died of ovarian cancer in December 1990.
She inspired the name Bell X-1, “Glamorous Glennis,” in which Yeager broke the sound barrier. After Glennis died, Yeager met Victoria Scott D’Angelo, an aspiring actress, in 2000 while hiking in Nevada County. They married in August 2003, despite a 36-year age difference, making Victoria 45 years younger than Yeager and younger than his children from his first marriage. This contentious marriage led to legal disputes with Yeager’s children over finances.
Yeager had four children with Glennis: Susan, Donald (Don), Michael (Mickey) and Sharon. Relationships with his children became strained after his second marriage. Chuck Yeager stands at a height of 1.85 meters (6 feet 1 inch).
Net worth
At the time of his death in 2020, Chuck Yeager’s net worth was estimated to be approximately $1.5 million. His wealth was accumulated through his military salary, earnings as a test pilot, income from book royalties, speaking engagements, and various endorsements. Yeager’s iconic status in aviation history, especially as the first to break the sound barrier, may have contributed to his financial success through these avenues.
