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Even if you’re not a frequent flyer, you may have heard about Bette Nash. Back in 2022, she became the world’s record holder for being the longest-serving flight attendant. At the time, the news was shared all over the internet, including Reddit, ABC News, in the UK, and the list goes on and on.
Unfortunately, word is now circulating in several flight-attendant message groups that Nash, has allegedly been diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer and it’s said she’s recently had to enter a care facility.
Nash, who hails from Manassas, VA, began her career as a stewardess for Eastern Airlines on November 4, 1957, when she was 22 years old. During that same year, Eisenhower was president, gasoline was 28 cents per gallon, Gunsmoke was the most popular TV show, and Elvis bought Graceland for $102,500.
Guinness Book Royalty
Fast-forward to July 2022 and Nash was named by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-serving flight attendant of all time, with a 65-year career. Even with that impressive accomplishment under her belt, Nash, 86 years old at the time, continued to fly the Boston—D.C. route. Granted, she no longer worked full time but flew it often enough to be affectionately known as the “Nash Dash.”
Here’s when she was honored for “just” 60 years of service, back in 2017:
Sad news
Unfortunately, multiple outlets are reporting that Nash has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. Some say she’s now living in an Assisted Living Facility, but sadly, JT Genter, editor-in-chief for Award Wallet, suggests the situation may be even more dire.
According to breastcancer.org, more than half of people who develop stage IV breast cancer have bone metastasis. But whether her disease has spread to the bone or not, it’s still a sad situation.
Our thoughts are with Ms. Nash and her loved ones.
Featured image: American Airlines / Instagram
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2 comments
I’ve had my share of bad flight attendants. Some are lazy. Some are dictators. Some have an easily seen bad attitude. There have also those who have given passengers a pleasant experience.
From my personal experience, Betty Nash was a pleasant flight attendant and made for a nice flight but nothing extraordinary happened, like an emergency evacuation or free perk.
There was an effort to fire her for alleged racist behavior against Black people but I do not know the details.
I don’t think anyone ever suggested she was an “extraordinary” FA…she just stayed with it for the long haul.
I also have heard stories about alleged racism but it had nothing to do with her being diagnosed with cancer, so I didn’t feel it was an important thing to include.