12 Photos of Amelia Earhart You Need to See

Mar. 15, 2025

Amelia Earhart.Photo: APFrom a young age, Amelia Earhart loved flying.Her passion brought her fame, and ultimately, notoriety, as she took off for an around-the-world trip in 1937 and never returned.Recently, her name was in the news again, as a crew thoughtthey possibly found her downed aircrafton the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.While explorers work to see if their discovery does solve the mystery of her disappearance, look back on some of her iconic photos and quotes about the career she loved.01of 12Amelia Earhart’s Early LifeAmelia Earhart.The LIFE Picture Collection/GettyAmelia Earhart was born on July 24, 1897, in Atchison, Kansas. In 1920, she attended an air show in Long Beach, California, and took a 10-minute plane ride that changed her life forever.“As soon as I left the ground, I knew I myself had to fly,” she wrote.02of 12Amelia Earhart Takes FlightAmelia Earhart.Bettmann Archive/GettyIn 1928, she was invited to become the first woman to fly across the Atlantic and became an international celebrity. She was listed as a co-pilot, but ultimately was not allowed to fly.03of 12Amelia Earhart Sets RecordsAmelia Earhart.Universal History Archive/UIG/GettyShe set seven women’s speed and distance aviation records between 1930 and 1935. In May 1932, she became the first woman to fly solo across in the Atlantic, and on Jan. 11, 1935, she flew from Honolulu to Oakland, making her the first person to fly solo over the Pacific.04of 12Amelia Earhart and the Ninety-NinesAmelia Earhart.National Archives/HISTORYDubbed “Lady Lindy” (a nod to fellow aviator Charles Lindbergh), Earhart promoted aviation and helped found the Ninety-Nines, an organization dedicated to female aviators.05of 12Amelia Earhart and George Palmer PutnamAmelia Earhart and her husband.New York Times Co./GettyEarhart wed publisher George Palmer Putnam on Feb. 7, 1931. He reportedly proposed to her six times before she agreed to marry him.06of 12Amelia Earhart’s Memorable QuotesAmelia Earhart.Bettmann Archive/GettyShe famouly sent him a letter detailing “some things which should be writ before we are married.““I want you to understand I shall not hold you to any midaevil code of faithfulness to me nor shall I consider myself bound to you similarly,” Earhart wrote, adding that her career was a top priority.“Please let us not interfere with the others' work or play.“07of 12Amelia Earhart’s MissionAmelia Earhart.GettyAs she approached her 40th birthday in 1937, Earhart famously said, “I have a feeling that there is just about one more good flight left in my system.” She wanted to be the first woman to fly around the world.08of 12Amelia Earhart in the CockpitAmelia Earhart.APAfter a botched attempt in March that severely damaged her plane, a determined Earhart had the twin engine Lockheed Electra rebuilt.09of 12Amelia Earhart Sets OutAmelia Earhart.Topical Press Agency/GettyOn June 1, 1937, Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan left Miami, Florida, an around-the-world flight.10of 12Amelia Earhart DisappearsAmelia Earhart.NY Daily News Archive/GettyThey disappeared on July 2 after a stop in Lae, New Guinea, with only 7,000 miles of the trip left.11of 12Amelia Earhart’s DisappearanceAmelia Earhart.GettyThere were radio messages that they were running low on fuel. Contact was lost, and the plane never made it to its destination.12of 12The Mystery of Amelia EarhartAmelia Earhart.APWhile a great deal of mystery surrounds her disappearance, her contributions to aviation and women’s rights have inspired people for more than 80 years.

Amelia Earhart.Photo: AP

From a young age, Amelia Earhart loved flying.Her passion brought her fame, and ultimately, notoriety, as she took off for an around-the-world trip in 1937 and never returned.Recently, her name was in the news again, as a crew thoughtthey possibly found her downed aircrafton the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.While explorers work to see if their discovery does solve the mystery of her disappearance, look back on some of her iconic photos and quotes about the career she loved.01of 12Amelia Earhart’s Early LifeAmelia Earhart.The LIFE Picture Collection/GettyAmelia Earhart was born on July 24, 1897, in Atchison, Kansas. In 1920, she attended an air show in Long Beach, California, and took a 10-minute plane ride that changed her life forever.“As soon as I left the ground, I knew I myself had to fly,” she wrote.02of 12Amelia Earhart Takes FlightAmelia Earhart.Bettmann Archive/GettyIn 1928, she was invited to become the first woman to fly across the Atlantic and became an international celebrity. She was listed as a co-pilot, but ultimately was not allowed to fly.03of 12Amelia Earhart Sets RecordsAmelia Earhart.Universal History Archive/UIG/GettyShe set seven women’s speed and distance aviation records between 1930 and 1935. In May 1932, she became the first woman to fly solo across in the Atlantic, and on Jan. 11, 1935, she flew from Honolulu to Oakland, making her the first person to fly solo over the Pacific.04of 12Amelia Earhart and the Ninety-NinesAmelia Earhart.National Archives/HISTORYDubbed “Lady Lindy” (a nod to fellow aviator Charles Lindbergh), Earhart promoted aviation and helped found the Ninety-Nines, an organization dedicated to female aviators.05of 12Amelia Earhart and George Palmer PutnamAmelia Earhart and her husband.New York Times Co./GettyEarhart wed publisher George Palmer Putnam on Feb. 7, 1931. He reportedly proposed to her six times before she agreed to marry him.06of 12Amelia Earhart’s Memorable QuotesAmelia Earhart.Bettmann Archive/GettyShe famouly sent him a letter detailing “some things which should be writ before we are married.““I want you to understand I shall not hold you to any midaevil code of faithfulness to me nor shall I consider myself bound to you similarly,” Earhart wrote, adding that her career was a top priority.“Please let us not interfere with the others' work or play.“07of 12Amelia Earhart’s MissionAmelia Earhart.GettyAs she approached her 40th birthday in 1937, Earhart famously said, “I have a feeling that there is just about one more good flight left in my system.” She wanted to be the first woman to fly around the world.08of 12Amelia Earhart in the CockpitAmelia Earhart.APAfter a botched attempt in March that severely damaged her plane, a determined Earhart had the twin engine Lockheed Electra rebuilt.09of 12Amelia Earhart Sets OutAmelia Earhart.Topical Press Agency/GettyOn June 1, 1937, Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan left Miami, Florida, an around-the-world flight.10of 12Amelia Earhart DisappearsAmelia Earhart.NY Daily News Archive/GettyThey disappeared on July 2 after a stop in Lae, New Guinea, with only 7,000 miles of the trip left.11of 12Amelia Earhart’s DisappearanceAmelia Earhart.GettyThere were radio messages that they were running low on fuel. Contact was lost, and the plane never made it to its destination.12of 12The Mystery of Amelia EarhartAmelia Earhart.APWhile a great deal of mystery surrounds her disappearance, her contributions to aviation and women’s rights have inspired people for more than 80 years.

From a young age, Amelia Earhart loved flying.Her passion brought her fame, and ultimately, notoriety, as she took off for an around-the-world trip in 1937 and never returned.Recently, her name was in the news again, as a crew thoughtthey possibly found her downed aircrafton the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.While explorers work to see if their discovery does solve the mystery of her disappearance, look back on some of her iconic photos and quotes about the career she loved.

From a young age, Amelia Earhart loved flying.

Her passion brought her fame, and ultimately, notoriety, as she took off for an around-the-world trip in 1937 and never returned.

Recently, her name was in the news again, as a crew thoughtthey possibly found her downed aircrafton the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.

While explorers work to see if their discovery does solve the mystery of her disappearance, look back on some of her iconic photos and quotes about the career she loved.

01of 12Amelia Earhart’s Early LifeAmelia Earhart.The LIFE Picture Collection/GettyAmelia Earhart was born on July 24, 1897, in Atchison, Kansas. In 1920, she attended an air show in Long Beach, California, and took a 10-minute plane ride that changed her life forever.“As soon as I left the ground, I knew I myself had to fly,” she wrote.02of 12Amelia Earhart Takes FlightAmelia Earhart.Bettmann Archive/GettyIn 1928, she was invited to become the first woman to fly across the Atlantic and became an international celebrity. She was listed as a co-pilot, but ultimately was not allowed to fly.03of 12Amelia Earhart Sets RecordsAmelia Earhart.Universal History Archive/UIG/GettyShe set seven women’s speed and distance aviation records between 1930 and 1935. In May 1932, she became the first woman to fly solo across in the Atlantic, and on Jan. 11, 1935, she flew from Honolulu to Oakland, making her the first person to fly solo over the Pacific.04of 12Amelia Earhart and the Ninety-NinesAmelia Earhart.National Archives/HISTORYDubbed “Lady Lindy” (a nod to fellow aviator Charles Lindbergh), Earhart promoted aviation and helped found the Ninety-Nines, an organization dedicated to female aviators.05of 12Amelia Earhart and George Palmer PutnamAmelia Earhart and her husband.New York Times Co./GettyEarhart wed publisher George Palmer Putnam on Feb. 7, 1931. He reportedly proposed to her six times before she agreed to marry him.06of 12Amelia Earhart’s Memorable QuotesAmelia Earhart.Bettmann Archive/GettyShe famouly sent him a letter detailing “some things which should be writ before we are married.““I want you to understand I shall not hold you to any midaevil code of faithfulness to me nor shall I consider myself bound to you similarly,” Earhart wrote, adding that her career was a top priority.“Please let us not interfere with the others' work or play.“07of 12Amelia Earhart’s MissionAmelia Earhart.GettyAs she approached her 40th birthday in 1937, Earhart famously said, “I have a feeling that there is just about one more good flight left in my system.” She wanted to be the first woman to fly around the world.08of 12Amelia Earhart in the CockpitAmelia Earhart.APAfter a botched attempt in March that severely damaged her plane, a determined Earhart had the twin engine Lockheed Electra rebuilt.09of 12Amelia Earhart Sets OutAmelia Earhart.Topical Press Agency/GettyOn June 1, 1937, Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan left Miami, Florida, an around-the-world flight.10of 12Amelia Earhart DisappearsAmelia Earhart.NY Daily News Archive/GettyThey disappeared on July 2 after a stop in Lae, New Guinea, with only 7,000 miles of the trip left.11of 12Amelia Earhart’s DisappearanceAmelia Earhart.GettyThere were radio messages that they were running low on fuel. Contact was lost, and the plane never made it to its destination.12of 12The Mystery of Amelia EarhartAmelia Earhart.APWhile a great deal of mystery surrounds her disappearance, her contributions to aviation and women’s rights have inspired people for more than 80 years.

01of 12Amelia Earhart’s Early LifeAmelia Earhart.The LIFE Picture Collection/GettyAmelia Earhart was born on July 24, 1897, in Atchison, Kansas. In 1920, she attended an air show in Long Beach, California, and took a 10-minute plane ride that changed her life forever.“As soon as I left the ground, I knew I myself had to fly,” she wrote.

01of 12

Amelia Earhart’s Early Life

Amelia Earhart.The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty

Amelia Earhart was born on July 24, 1897, in Atchison, Kansas. In 1920, she attended an air show in Long Beach, California, and took a 10-minute plane ride that changed her life forever.

“As soon as I left the ground, I knew I myself had to fly,” she wrote.

02of 12Amelia Earhart Takes FlightAmelia Earhart.Bettmann Archive/GettyIn 1928, she was invited to become the first woman to fly across the Atlantic and became an international celebrity. She was listed as a co-pilot, but ultimately was not allowed to fly.

02of 12

Amelia Earhart Takes Flight

Amelia Earhart.Bettmann Archive/Getty

In 1928, she was invited to become the first woman to fly across the Atlantic and became an international celebrity. She was listed as a co-pilot, but ultimately was not allowed to fly.

03of 12Amelia Earhart Sets RecordsAmelia Earhart.Universal History Archive/UIG/GettyShe set seven women’s speed and distance aviation records between 1930 and 1935. In May 1932, she became the first woman to fly solo across in the Atlantic, and on Jan. 11, 1935, she flew from Honolulu to Oakland, making her the first person to fly solo over the Pacific.

03of 12

Amelia Earhart Sets Records

Amelia Earhart.Universal History Archive/UIG/Getty

She set seven women’s speed and distance aviation records between 1930 and 1935. In May 1932, she became the first woman to fly solo across in the Atlantic, and on Jan. 11, 1935, she flew from Honolulu to Oakland, making her the first person to fly solo over the Pacific.

04of 12Amelia Earhart and the Ninety-NinesAmelia Earhart.National Archives/HISTORYDubbed “Lady Lindy” (a nod to fellow aviator Charles Lindbergh), Earhart promoted aviation and helped found the Ninety-Nines, an organization dedicated to female aviators.

04of 12

Amelia Earhart and the Ninety-Nines

Amelia Earhart.National Archives/HISTORY

Dubbed “Lady Lindy” (a nod to fellow aviator Charles Lindbergh), Earhart promoted aviation and helped found the Ninety-Nines, an organization dedicated to female aviators.

05of 12Amelia Earhart and George Palmer PutnamAmelia Earhart and her husband.New York Times Co./GettyEarhart wed publisher George Palmer Putnam on Feb. 7, 1931. He reportedly proposed to her six times before she agreed to marry him.

05of 12

Amelia Earhart and George Palmer Putnam

Amelia Earhart and her husband.New York Times Co./Getty

Earhart wed publisher George Palmer Putnam on Feb. 7, 1931. He reportedly proposed to her six times before she agreed to marry him.

06of 12Amelia Earhart’s Memorable QuotesAmelia Earhart.Bettmann Archive/GettyShe famouly sent him a letter detailing “some things which should be writ before we are married.““I want you to understand I shall not hold you to any midaevil code of faithfulness to me nor shall I consider myself bound to you similarly,” Earhart wrote, adding that her career was a top priority.“Please let us not interfere with the others' work or play.”

06of 12

Amelia Earhart’s Memorable Quotes

She famouly sent him a letter detailing “some things which should be writ before we are married.”

“I want you to understand I shall not hold you to any midaevil code of faithfulness to me nor shall I consider myself bound to you similarly,” Earhart wrote, adding that her career was a top priority.

“Please let us not interfere with the others' work or play.”

07of 12Amelia Earhart’s MissionAmelia Earhart.GettyAs she approached her 40th birthday in 1937, Earhart famously said, “I have a feeling that there is just about one more good flight left in my system.” She wanted to be the first woman to fly around the world.

07of 12

Amelia Earhart’s Mission

Amelia Earhart.Getty

As she approached her 40th birthday in 1937, Earhart famously said, “I have a feeling that there is just about one more good flight left in my system.” She wanted to be the first woman to fly around the world.

08of 12Amelia Earhart in the CockpitAmelia Earhart.APAfter a botched attempt in March that severely damaged her plane, a determined Earhart had the twin engine Lockheed Electra rebuilt.

08of 12

Amelia Earhart in the Cockpit

Amelia Earhart.AP

After a botched attempt in March that severely damaged her plane, a determined Earhart had the twin engine Lockheed Electra rebuilt.

09of 12Amelia Earhart Sets OutAmelia Earhart.Topical Press Agency/GettyOn June 1, 1937, Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan left Miami, Florida, an around-the-world flight.

09of 12

Amelia Earhart Sets Out

Amelia Earhart.Topical Press Agency/Getty

On June 1, 1937, Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan left Miami, Florida, an around-the-world flight.

10of 12Amelia Earhart DisappearsAmelia Earhart.NY Daily News Archive/GettyThey disappeared on July 2 after a stop in Lae, New Guinea, with only 7,000 miles of the trip left.

10of 12

Amelia Earhart Disappears

Amelia Earhart.NY Daily News Archive/Getty

They disappeared on July 2 after a stop in Lae, New Guinea, with only 7,000 miles of the trip left.

11of 12Amelia Earhart’s DisappearanceAmelia Earhart.GettyThere were radio messages that they were running low on fuel. Contact was lost, and the plane never made it to its destination.

11of 12

Amelia Earhart’s Disappearance

There were radio messages that they were running low on fuel. Contact was lost, and the plane never made it to its destination.

12of 12The Mystery of Amelia EarhartAmelia Earhart.APWhile a great deal of mystery surrounds her disappearance, her contributions to aviation and women’s rights have inspired people for more than 80 years.

12of 12

The Mystery of Amelia Earhart

While a great deal of mystery surrounds her disappearance, her contributions to aviation and women’s rights have inspired people for more than 80 years.

source: people.com