Mercedes Gleitze

• Born: 18 November 1900 | Died: 9 February 1981

Mercedes Gleitze

Record-breaking marathon swimmer Mercedes Gleitze was the first British woman to swim the English Channel.

Born in Brighton on 18 November 1900, Gleitze worked as a secretary in London before becoming a professional long-distance swimmer.

On 7 October 1927, in what was her eight attempt, Gleitze successfully completed her English Channel swim in a time of 15 hours and 15 minutes.

Following that success, on 5 April 1928, she became the first person to swim the Strait of Gibraltar in 12 hours and 50 minutes.

Gleitze also specialised in endurance swims, extending the British record several times before completing 47 hours in the Corporation Baths, Worthing, between 18 and 20 May 1933.

With the money she earned from her swims, she established the Mercedes Gleitze Home for the Homeless in Leicester, England which opened in 1933 until it was destroyed during the Second World War.

The Mercedes Gleitze Relief in Need Charity is still active, under the trusteeship and administration of Family Action.

In keeping with the spirit of the founder’s intention, its funds are targeted towards grants for families to alleviate need arising from poverty.

Gleitze’s achievements were recognised when she was inducted into the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in 1969 and the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 2014.

She was inducted into the Swim England Hall of Fame on 8 March 2024 – International Women’s Day – which also coincided with the release of the film Vindication Swim, which celebrated her remarkable achievement and life.