Mae Jemison to announce shock retirement?

Sad news for Jemison fans. Speculation had been rife that first African-American woman in space is about to announce her retirement from all public activities, at age 69, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 22/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being an astronaut isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being an astronaut-scientist just isn't fun anymore,” she might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that she may branch out into other creative fields she is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouMae

For a little while on Saturday evening, #ThankYouMae was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made her make the decision.

“Mae Jemison was unlike any other astronaut we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouMae”
— @universalObserver, 21 Mar 2026

“Didn't Mae Jemison retire about 3 years ago?”
— @samy2love, 21 Mar 2026

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