Jacqueline Auriol

Jacqueline Auriol (November 5, 1917 - February 11, 2000) was a French aviatrix who set several world speed records. Born Jacqueline Marie-Thérèse Suzanne Douet in Challans, Vendée, the daughter of a wealthy businessman, she graduated from the University of Nantes then she studied art at the École du Louvre in Paris.

In 1938, Jacqueline Douet married Paul Auriol, son of Vincent Auriol who later became President of France During World War II, Jacqueline Auriol, worked against the German occupation of France by helping the French Resistance.

She earned a military pilot license in 1950 then qualified as one of the first female test pilots. She was among the first women to break the sound barrier and set five world speed records. Her exploits earned her the Harmon Trophy in 1951 and again in 1952.

Her life story was told in her 1970 autobiography "I Live to Fly" published in the French and English languages.

References

* "I Live to Fly" - Jacqueline Auriol. (1970) E.P. Dutton & Co., New York ISBN 0-525-13076-4