Mery Rose
A Life Between Heaven and Earth!
"The higher we are flown, the more humbly we should walk."
—Mery Rose
IN THE HEIGHTS
About Mery Rose
Mery Rose is an athlete member of the U.S. Women’s Parachute Team (USPT), embodying dedication in the world of skydiving. With 19 national medals, three world FAI medals, and three world POPS medals, she is well-known for her exceptional skill in accuracy landings. A discipline demands great mental and physical ability after decades of training.
Jumping from a plane at 3,500 feet, Mery Rose performs hop-and-pops and skillfully guides her parachute toward an electronic target called the dead center, which measures just 2 centimeters in diameter and is set atop a 5-meter air mattress.
Mery Rose’s skydiving journey began at just 19 years old, breaking barriers as a civilian at the Military Police Academy in Teresina, Brazil, during a time when women were notably absent from the military scene. Her bold spirit caught the attention of Commander Colonel Canuto Tupy Caldas, who famously asked her, “Why do you insist on jumping out of a perfectly good airplane?”—a question that resonated worldwide. "I would never do that, even if someone offered me a million dollars,” he candidly admitted.
By the 1980s, Mery Rose had become one of Brazil’s most accomplished parachutists—an eleven-time Brazilian national champion in style & accuracy—and made history in the Guinness Book of World Records (1984) as part of the largest group jump: 197 skydivers in Rio de Janeiro. Yet, her ambitions soared higher and her flights reached new horizons.
San Francisco
Mery Rose's Beautiful Dead Center
In 1990, driven by her dream to earn world titles from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), Mery Rose made a life-changing decision. She left her federal job at Eletronorte, a subsidiary of Eletrobras—the largest electric utility company in Brazil—and moved to the United States to join the US Parachute Team. She wisely stated, "To claim an FAI world title, I must train and compete with the best in the world."
Today, a proud U.S. citizen living in San Francisco, California, for over 35 years, Mery Rose has the record of 6,990 skydives and earned multiple national and international titles, fulfilling her lifelong dream as a member of the U.S. Parachute Team. Her story was featured in Parachutiste Magazine (July 2008), and she continues to compete at the highest level, inspiring others to follow their passions.
For Mery Rose, fear has no place in the sky. Sitting at the open door of an airplane before a jump, she smiles and says, “A good rush of adrenaline makes me happy.” When asked about the secret to her success, she simply shares:
“Faith, hope, and love are the driving forces behind everything that we are and do.”
The Spirit of Mery Rose
—“Who packed your parachute today?” I asked.
—“I packed my parachute!” she exclaimed, smiling. “I always make sure to do it right after every landing.”
—“Is it because you don’t trust anyone else to pack it? Are you afraid?”
—“Oh, no! I’m not afraid of anything in life! Honestly, I enjoy packing my parachute — it’s a form of therapy for me. It takes a little time because I love smoothing out and arranging everything just right. It makes for a smooth, safe opening! My teammates often joke with me, asking if I need to iron it!” she said, laughing along with everyone around.
—“But I remember reading in your Parachutist Magazine profile that you’ve had four cutaways,” I pointed out.
(In skydiving, a cutaway is the emergency procedure used to disconnect the main parachute if it malfunctions, allowing safe deployment of the reserve parachute.)
—“You’re absolutely right,” she said confidently. “I’ve had four cutaways. But if I weren’t so meticulous and perfectionist, with 6,990 skydives, that number would be a lot higher today. Capiche?”
—“Mery Rose, I remember a quote of yours—something about skydiving friends?”
—“Yesss,” she replied. “It’s my favorite one:
‘Skydiving friends are the best friends in the world!’”
—“The feeling is mutual,” I said.
— "How was your first parachute jump?" I asked, curiously.
— "My first parachute was incredible — You never forget your first! It is truly unforgettable! I can still picture every second of it as if it happened yesterday.
The moment I stepped out of the airplane and felt my body flying into the open sky was a powerful mix of courage, freedom, and bravery. Conquering the fear filled me with an indescribable thrill and boosted my confidence to face other challenges in life. The experience opened my mind to endless possibilities, showing me that I could achieve anything I set my heart on.
I was only 19 at the time, and experiencing something so bold and empowering at such a young age gave me direction, courage, and the motivation to set new goals. — Even now, I sometimes surprise myself with the same daring spirit that I acquired that day."
While she spoke, her eyes shining as she recalled the start of a long career that seems to have no end — at least for now.
Heading 5
Your Never Forget your First!
T-10 Parachute
13th Jagodina
Serbian Parachute Cup 2012
MI-10 Helicopter - Serbian Armed Forces
Mery Rose is a legendary skydiver and accomplished parachutist whose more than fifty-one years of flying in the skies are filled with unforgettable stories. Her soft, melodic voice—colored by the rhythms of Portuguese and English—reflects both her Brazilian heritage and her life of worldwide adventures. When she speaks, her passion for life is clear.
Beyond the sky, Mery Rose was also a devoted student of Art at San Francisco City College. She is a talented artist and designer and her creative interests include sportswear fashion design, pattern cutting and sewing, graphic design, graffiti, interior design, oil painting on canvas, and poetry. She also personally created and maintained her two websites: BestTourEver.com and MeryRose.com
Her poetry reveals deep roots in Romanticism, capturing the timeless emotion and lyrical-rhyming beauty of the classics. In her acclaimed Sonnets in Portuguese, she explores love, spirituality, skydiving, and the broader human experience, serving as an artistic bridge between past, present, and the future.
Her verses mirror the beauty of the lyrical cadence in modern literature, while paying homage to her rich cultural heritage in Maranhão, her home state, which is also the birthplace of other great poets, such as Gonçalves Dias.
As they say back home:
“Eita, mulher nordestina porreta, sô!”
Which joyfully means, “Wow, what an incredible Northeastern woman!”
FAI World Cup - Skydive Belluno - Italy
Bell Helicopter
Witch Mery Rose
The Skydiving Legend with Her "Silver Broomstick"
Although someone with the name 'Mery Rose' doesn't need a nickname, she’s affectionately known in the skydiving community as “Witch Mery Rose”—in the best possible way, of course.
The story started in 1997 when Mery Rose celebrated Halloween at the National Skydiving Center in Baituva, São Paulo, during a vacation trip to Brazil. Friends and fellow skydivers watched in awe as she soared through the sky at 15,000 feet on her “Silver Broomstick.” It was a perfect mix of her daring spirit, joyful energy, and a touch of playful magic.
Since then, her now-famous Halloween photos—dedicated to “Terror Day”—have appeared in magazines, newspapers, posters, and websites around the world.
The Legend of Witch Mery Rose
People close to Witch Mery Rose say that her life revolves around the practice of witchcraft!
“She’s a good little witch,” says her longtime skydiving friend, Salomon Said. “She’s fearless, graceful, friendly, generous—and magical. With her, the impossible happens! With her Silver Broom, she performs incredible flights and breathtaking acrobatics across the skies! She dances across the Blue Skies! Nobody does it better than her—not even Wizard Harry Potter! Who wants to hire her as his coacher?” declared Salomon, proudly claiming to be Witch Mery Rose’s number-one fan.
But the true magic of Witch Mery Rose isn't in spells or potions—it’s in the transformative power of the human spirit. Courage, attitude, joy, persistence, faith, and determination are the ingredients of her witchcraft. With those, she turns dreams into reality.
As a true dream-maker, Witch Mery Rose lives her life creating miracles: when a friend's skydiving career is halted, she inspires them to rise again—she guides him back to the skies. That’s her most extraordinary magic: the power of never giving up, uplifting herself and her friends with heart and hope to continue living a full, healthy life and soaring in the world's skies!
Born on April 30th, Mery Rose is as strong as a bull.
The sign of Taurus embodies the strength and determination that define one of the zodiac’s most potent symbols. With immense inner fortitude, Mery Rose channels her courage to make history, break barriers, and inspire new generations of skydivers around the world through her pioneering spirit and relentless pursuit of excellence.
From Dreamer to Achiever:
Mery Rose’s Journey Through
the World's Skidding Skies!
Everyone has dreams — but how many actually come true? According to Forbes, only 8% of people worldwide achieve their dreams. So, what sets dreamers apart from achievers? What is life like for those who truly live their dreams?
A powerful and realistic example is Mery Rose’s story. This well-known American skydiver turned her dreams into reality through her passion for the discipline of accuracy, competing in USPA Nationals and the FAI World Parachuting Championships. — The World Air Sports Federation.
“Turning dreams into reality is a challenging task,” she said. “It’s a long, lonely, and expensive journey filled with lessons from both triumphs and failures — I'm not complaining.” She stated... and said more:
We live in a world of dreams. Everything is a fantasy created by our minds. Constructs reality through imagination, planning, and interpretation—The perceptions are shaped by our mental models, which can lead to both accurate predictions and the creation of personal "realities." While our minds actively influence our experiences, it is the interaction between our mental constructions and the outside world that ultimately shapes our lived experience. — Prophetess.
"The Bigger the Dream, the Higher the Flight!" Said Mery Rose.
Back in the 1980s, while celebrating her birthday in Brazil, a friend asked her, “What do you hope to achieve in life?” After a moment’s thought, she replied, “I’m going to join the U.S. Parachute Team and win a World FAI medal in accuracy.”
The room fell silent — then laughter followed. "From that day forward, the word ‘crazy’ was officially added to my birth certificate,” Mery Rose recalled with a smile.
But achieving something extraordinary requires an extraordinary attitude. Being called “crazy” didn’t bother her — those born to shine aren’t discouraged by others, for the ones who have no dreams. She ignored everything and everyone. In the silence of the night, she sold her house and moved to the United States to pursue her dream.
Once in the US, she set clear priorities for her life list: obtained a top-tier accuracy rig—the "USA Classic 239" canopy—and dedicated herself to a disciplined lifestyle. She trained daily, meditated, ate healthy, homemade meals, drank 2 liters of water each day, avoided alcohol and parties, read motivational books, and committed to early mornings, going to bed early, and getting 8 full hours of sleep every night.
"What would you say to people who want to follow their dreams?" I asked.
"Attitude connects dreams to reality." She said.
"Dreaming small or big takes the same effort; both demand courage and discipline. Attitude is a strong link that connects the dream to reality."
"Don’t expect anyone to believe in your vision or push you forward. This is your dream — not theirs. Find peace in solitude: learn to be comfortable in your own company. Keep your plans to yourself. All freedom comes with a price — so does your dream.
"Eyes will be on you. Be vigilant—always; success attracts envy; those who don’t stand up in pursuit of their dreams, and those who can't keep up with your pace, will bother you. What others say or think about you is their burden, not yours. Guard your peace, your individuality, and be happy; it's your credit cards that pay all your bills."
"The journey toward your dream is long — fly light. Let go of everything unnecessary. Stay alert at all times; the enemy can be beside you, smiling, while resenting your success. Leave him behind. Don’t waste your breath explaining or arguing. In this flight, only you truly understand what the word 'dream' means as you soar toward it. Believe: every sacrifice will one day make sense.
"Good luck on your journey."
Mery Rose’s Life Philosophy:
“As the world turns, I see 360 degrees of opportunity. If I try something and it doesn’t work out, I shift to another angle and try again—because to me, there are still 359 other directions waiting to be explored. That’s how I live my life. It’s proof of what I believe: it is by never giving up that things are achieved. I don’t mind trying the same thing over and over—I’ll do it as many times as it takes until I succeed.”
Bell Helicopter - Skydive Dubai
Happiness is a choice!
BEST LIFE AWARDS
6.990 Skydives
USPA D-License
Brazilian-American Citizens
First Brazilian USPT Member
22.000 ft. High Altitude Jump
3 FAI World Titles in Skydiving
Parachutist Magazine Profiled
POPS World Overall Silver Medal
20 Skydiving Jumps in Four Hours
FAI WPC Overall Team Silver Medal
15-Year US Parachute Team Member
FAI WPC Accuracy Team Bronze Medal
11-Year Brazil Parachute Team Member
POPS World Championship Bronze Medal
19 US Nationals Medals in Style & Accuracy
Guinness Book World Record - 197 jumpers
First Brazilian Woman to Reach 1,000 Jumps
FAI World Cup Accuracy Team Bronze Medal
1st Brazilian Women's Parachutist FAI Medals
POPS World Championship Team Gold Medal
11-Time Brazilian Classic Parachute Champion
FAI WPC Dubai Mondial Overall Team 4th Place
FAI First Women's Parachutist to Represent Brazil
FAI WPC Chicago Mondial Overall Team 4th Place
POPS World Championship 2001-Athlete Of The Year
1st and only Brazilian of Classic Parachute FAI Medals
Brazilian Women's Parachutist FAI Sporting Licence No. 1
2012 Serbia Cup Absolute-General Category 2-gold medals
Three-Time State Athlete of the Year - Sao Luis - Maranhão ...
Through skydiving, I've realized my childhood dream of flight. I've fulfilled my desire to travel the world by skydiving, soaring through incredible blue skies and visiting charming places. Through skydiving, I've achieved the goal of earning the world FAI medals as a member of USPT. Through skydiving, I’ve met amazing people and created wonderful memories that will stay with me forever. Through skydiving, I'm proud to be included in the "Guinness Book of World Records." Through skydiving, I've embraced my identity as an American citizen ...
Life is wonderful and I'm so grateful! Through skydiving, I could fly so fast, far, high, and for so long!
— Mery Rose
FAI WPC - World Parachute Championships 2008
Lucenec - Slovakia
"IN THEIR SIGHTS"
Parachutist Magazine Issue 588 October 08.
At the 30th FAI World Meet - the World Parachuting Championship of Style & Accuracy, held July 27-August 2, 2008, in Lucenek, Slovakia - the U. S. women’s team won a silver medal in the overall category and bronze medal country.
FAI WC - World Cup 2005
Skydive Stupino - Russia
US Women's Parachute Team 2005
China Russia USA
Larry Hill and Mery Rose - Skydive Dubai
.jpg)
Mery Rose
6,0000 Jump Wings
At the FAI Dubai Mondial 2012, Mery Rose, a US Parachute Team member, was honored with the prestigious USPA Award, presented by Larry Hill, the US Head Delegation, in recognition of her remarkable achievement of
completing 6,000 free-fall skydives on November 26, 2011.
The United States Parachute Association has noted
that Mery Rose is the 328th skydiver in the United States
to receive this Award.
Painting is a good form of therapy.
Painting helps reduce stress and increase self-awareness.
Painting can be a mindful activity, directing the focus to positive thoughts and
promoting relaxation. It can be a valuable tool for managing emotions
and improving overall physical and mental well-being.
Mery Rose
1998
Oil Painting on Canvas
Christ the Redeemer Statue — Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Born To Fly!
by Mery Rose
Drawing & Painting makes me feel happy and relaxed.
It helps me connect with others by sharing
my thoughts & creativity.
Mery Rose
Graphite Pencil Drawing
Mery Rose
1994
2012
Mery Rose
Prince Sheikh Hamdan - FAZZA
FAI World Parachuting Championships
Mondial 2012 — Skydive Dubai
Colored Pencils — Pencils made with pure powder.
France Vintage Faber-Castell Polychromos, graphite, and brushes.
Mery Rose
FAZZA - The Prince Who Falls From The Skies!
As a member of the US Women's Parachute Team, I have participated in the FAI DIPC - Dubai International Parachute Championships five times. During the 2011 FAI DIPC, I met a very friendly Prince Sheikh Hamdan - FAZZA. You might not believe it, but he's a badass skydiver! He's also a poet and owns the well-known Skydive Dubai, the Skydive Desert Campus, and Inflight Dubai Indoor Skydiving. — The skydiving community appreciates his significant contributions!
Mery Rose
51 Years of Skydiving!
6,990 Epic Jumps!
With decades immersed in the exhilarating world of competitive skydiving, I have amassed a wealth of experiences that shape my outlook on life.
In an era when parachutes were designed for military men, in the style of World War II, I, at 19 years old and weighing around 100 pounds, found myself soaring through vast blue skies with a giant T-10 parachute and a ventral reserve. The parachute and the container were large for my size. Unlike my friends, who descended to the landing, I ascended and flew in the open heavens. This experience transformed into a continuous privilege - flying for a bit longer.
Skydiving is a sport that features 12 competitive disciplines. Style and Accuracy Landing are indeed the two oldest competitive disciplines in skydiving. Accuracy Landing, often referred to as "Accuracy," was the first to gain official recognition, with the inaugural World Championship held in 1951. Style, which emphasizes freefall acrobatic maneuvers, was introduced in 1962. Together, Style and Accuracy are known as "Classic Parachuting." This team event includes five athletes, and each athlete faces their opponents individually. In skydiving, men and women compete on equal terms.
TEAM
The team of five jumps together from 3.500 ft and makes 10 jumps. The first eight rounds contribute to the team's score. In the last two rounds, the athletes jump separates, helping the athlete in the individual
Accuracy
The team of five jumps together at 3.500 ft, and guides their parachutes to hit the electronic target known as 'dead center,' which has a diameter of 2 centimeters (a little less than an inch), placed on the ground, on top of a soft surface (air mattress) measuring 5 meters of diameter.
Styly
The athlete performs a series of six predeterminate moves in free fall as precisely and quickly as possible. The moves include a 360-degree right turn, a 360-degree left turn, and a back loop. The series then respite.
Mery Rose on Target
Accuracy jump is like a golf game; achieving excellent accuracy in jumping requires more
mental skill than physical ability. The goal is singular: hitting the target
The classic parachute has become my favorite accuracy canopy. It allows for smooth,
precise, and light flight providing maximum control over the landing zone..
This picture speaks for itself!
A successful athlete possesses unique skills that enable them to excel. Key elements of this success include natural talent, proper nutrition, rigorous physical training, and a coach's invaluable support, all developed over years of dedication. Achieving greatness requires time, intense focus, and significant mental and physical resilience. Additionally, emotional intelligence is crucial for navigating the challenges of competition, and reaching the overall dream performance involves a combination of clear vision, consistent action, and unwavering determination. It's about not just having dreams but also actively working toward making them a reality through focused effort and a positive mindset.
— Mery Rose
FAI World Parachuting Championships - Skydive Dubai
US Parachute Delegation Team
2016 FAI Mundial - Skydive Chicago
San Francisco is frequently lauded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, known for its stunning natural setting, diverse architecture, and vibrant culture. Its iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island, along with its rolling hills, bay views, and unique neighborhoods, contribute to its captivating appeal. While some cities are praised for their grand scale or historical charm, San Francisco stands out for its unique blend of natural beauty and urban vibrancy
'Alcatraz Island'
by Mery Rose
I live on top of the hill
Where the view is amazing
I live in the beautiful San Francisco
With Alcatraz's stunning view!
The view is breathtaking
From where I can see the entire City
Renowned for its unique architecture
Of Pier 39, Twin Peaks, Embarcadero!
I walk up the slope all day
I walk down the slope all the time
I live on top of the hill
A block from the Crookedest Street!
I see the splendid Bay Bridge
I almost see the Haight Street
I see all North Beach Neighborhood
And the stunning Golden Gate!
I see ships, islands, Pyramid
Pink Skies, Coit Tower, Cable-Cars
All full of tourists
Coming here to enjoy this pretty City!
As you can see the waterfront view
I have light and lots of peace
I live in the Russian Hill Neighborhood
In the heart of the world's prettiest City!
And if you'd like to see all of this
Come to visit me soon
The corner is Filbert/Jones Street
Where you will feel right at home!
Mery Rose
MeryRose.com
BestTourEver.com
