Marina Știrbei facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Marina Știrbei
Born	19 March 1912
Died	15 July 2001 Bouloc, France
Nationality	Romanian
Occupation	Aviator
Known for	Founding member of the Romanian Air Force's all-women White Squadron

Marina Știrbei (born March 19, 1912 – died July 15, 2001) was a brave Romanian pilot. She became famous during World War II for her amazing work. Marina was a founding member of the "White Squadron." This was a special group of all-women pilots in the Romanian Air Force. They helped rescue injured people from the war zones. Today, many people in Romania call her the "Princess of Romanian Aviation."

Early Life and Learning to Fly

Marina Știrbei was born on March 19, 1912, in Vienna, Austria. Her father was Prince George Știrbei. Her aunt was the famous pilot George Valentin Bibescu. Marina loved flying, but it was hard for women to become pilots back then.

She tried many times to join the Romanian Pilots School. Each time, she was told no because she was a girl. Finally, in 1932, she was allowed to train. She learned to fly under a teacher named Ioana Cantacuzino. By 1935, Marina earned her Grade II pilot's license. This meant she was officially a qualified pilot. The very next year, she won the first flying competition in Romania.

A Daring Aviation Career

Marina Știrbei was a pioneer in aviation. She was the first person to fly all the way from Bucharest to Stockholm. This was a very challenging flight. She even flew through thick mist over the Baltic Sea.

In June 1937, Marina represented the Romanian Aeroclub. She attended an important meeting in Budapest. This meeting was about how to help planes with technical problems. In 1938, she joined the Romanian Red Cross. She took part in military training exercises. Other women pilots, like Mariana Drăgescu and Nadia Russo, were also there.

The White Squadron

Marina was inspired by a group of Finnish women pilots called Lotta Svärd. She had a great idea: to create a special squadron of women pilots in Romania. This group would help bring wounded soldiers back from the front lines during the war. She convinced the aviation ministry to agree.

This new unit was called the White Squadron. It was based at Baneasa airfield. By 1940, the squadron had 10 planes. These planes flew doctors and medicines to the war zones. They then brought injured people safely back home. An Italian journalist named Curzio Malaparte gave them the name "White Squadron." He was inspired by their white planes, which only had the symbol of the Red Cross on them.

Later Life

In 1942, Marina Știrbei married Prince Constantin Basarab Brâncoveanu. They had a big, fancy wedding. Later, a new government took control in Romania. This government arrested her husband and took away their property. Marina had to raise her two children by herself.

In 1964, she was able to leave Romania. She lived in England for a while. After that, she moved to France.

Death

Marina Știrbei passed away in Bouloc, France, on July 15, 2001.