Mack Rutherford Biography: Age, Parents, World Record Flight, Net Worth, Sister, Career, Awards

Mack Rutherford is a British-Belgian aviator who became widely known after completing a solo flight around the world at age 17.

Taking off in March 2022 aboard a custom microlight aircraft, he returned five months later, having flown through 52 countries and five continents.

His achievement set multiple Guinness World Records and drew global attention, not just for his extraordinary feat but also his message that young people can make a difference.

Profile

• Full name: Mack Rutherford
• Date of birth: 21 June 2005
• Age: 20 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Belgium
• Nationality: British, Belgian
• Profession: Aviator, public speaker, professional ferry pilot
• Parents: Sam Rutherford (father), Beatrice De Smet (mother)
• Siblings: Zara Rutherford (older sister)
• Spouse: None
• Children: None
• Relationship status: Single
• Ethnicity: British-Belgian
• Net worth: $300,000

Early Life and education

Mack Rutherford is now 20 years old. He was born on 21 June 2005 in Belgium, the son of Sam Rutherford—a British ex-Army helicopter pilot—and Beatrice De Smet, a Belgian recreational pilot and lawyer.

He has one sibling: an older sister named Zara Rutherford, who also holds aviation records.

From an early age, Mack grew up surrounded by aviation; both parents and extended family members including his great-great-grandmother Margaret Jean Thomas and other relatives were involved in flying.

He attended Sherborne School in Dorset for his A-levels and later began studies at Stanford University in California.

He earned his French microlight pilot’s license in September 2020, aged 15 years and two weeks—at the time making him the youngest pilot in the world.

Personal Life

Mack’s personal life remains largely private.

He is unmarried and has no children.

There are no public records or reliable sources linking him to romantic relationships, extramarital affairs, or divorce.

His focus appears to be primarily on aviation, exploration, and education. He is currently single.

Career

Mack Rutherford began flying very early under the guidance of his father.

At age 15, he obtained his pilot’s license and soon performed two Trans-Atlantic crossings.

In March 2022, at just 16, he departed from Sofia, Bulgaria, in a modified Shark microlight aircraft to attempt a solo circumnavigation.

His route through 52 countries and five continents included navigating desert sandstorms, permitting delays, and a 10-hour leg over the North Pacific—where he landed on an uninhabited island and spent a night in a shed.

On 24 August 2022 he landed back in Sofia and became the youngest person to fly solo around the world, as well as the youngest microlight solo circumnavigator.

Mack is also a public speaker with representation by Kruger Cowne.

Awards

• Award: The Master’s Medal from the Honourable Company of Air Pilots (2022)
• Award: Barron Hilton Aviation Inspiration Award from Living Legends of Aviation (2023)
• Award: Segrave Trophy alongside sister Zara for Skill, Courage and Initiative. (2023)

Net worth

Mack Rutherford’s current net worth estimations is at least $300,000.

Social Media

• Instagram: @Macksolo2022
• Twitter/X: @Macksolo2
• TikTok: @macksolo2022
• YouTube: MackSolo