Jyoti Ratre, a 55-year-old entrepreneur from Bhopal has become the oldest Indian woman to successfully climb Mount Everest, setting a new national record and challenging long-held assumptions about age and physical achievement. Her ascent eclipses the previous record set in 2018, when a climber reached the summit at the age of 53.
Ratre, originally from a small village in Madhya Pradesh, has followed a non-traditional path to mountaineering. With no formal background in sports or adventure activities, she only discovered her passion for high-altitude climbing during a casual trek in Manali in her late forties. What began as a fleeting interest turned into a determined pursuit, eventually culminating in a successful Everest summit in May 2024.
Raised in a family that frequently moved due to her father’s government job, she completed her education in central India, earning degrees in science and economics. Despite her academic and professional accomplishments, mountaineering presented a new and demanding challenge—especially given her age. Most premier mountaineering institutes in India do not accept candidates over 40, limiting her access to formal training programs.
Undeterred, she carved out her own training path. Drawing on advice from experienced climbers and fitness experts, she gradually developed a fitness routine tailored to her life as a business owner and family member. Hormonal changes and physical limitations added complexity to her training, but she persisted.
Alongside managing her long-running uniform manufacturing business in Bhopal, she undertook multiple expeditions across continents. Her climbing resume now includes peaks such as Island Peak in Asia, Mount Elbrus in Europe, Kilimanjaro in Africa, Aconcagua in South America, and Mount Kosciuszko in Australia. With two peaks remaining—Mount Vinson in Antarctica and Denali in North America—she is close to completing the Seven Summits challenge, a feat achieved by only a select group of global mountaineers.
Ratre’s accomplishment has been recognised with awards and accolades, including the Madhya Pradesh Ratn Alankaran award presented by the state’s Governor, as well as commendation from officials at ISRO. But beyond the honors, her story resonates with a much broader audience.
In an era when discussions around age, gender, and capability are evolving, her achievement stands as a powerful reminder that determination and adaptability can open doors at any stage of life. Professionals from various fields have applauded her journey as a symbol of resilience and reinvention—a story of climbing more than just physical summits.
