Sharon Hagle: Inspiring the Next Generation of Space Explorers
The name Sharon Hagle resonates across the worlds of space exploration, philanthropy, and education. Known as a Space Ambassador, Astronaut, and Founder of SpaceKids Global, she has dedicated her life to inspiring children and young adults to dream big about science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). Alongside her husband, Marc Hagle, she became part of history as one of the first commercially launched space spouses with Blue Origin. Her journey blends leadership in business, commitment to nonprofit work, and passion for advancing opportunities in aerospace. This article dives into her story, highlighting her career, achievements, and impact.
Early Life and Education
Academic Foundation
Sharon Hagle studied at Morris Harvey College (now the University of Charleston, West Virginia). Her educational background gave her a strong foundation that would later fuel her entrepreneurship and philanthropic ventures. She was not born into the aerospace industry but built her place through persistence, vision, and leadership.
Developing an Entrepreneurial Spirit
Even before her recognition in the space community, Sharon pursued a career in commercial real estate. She specialized as a retail site selector for national tenants and became the President of Galleria Real Estate Company, based in Winter Park, Florida. This business acumen laid the groundwork for her later nonprofit endeavors, proving her capability to transform bold ideas into impactful action.
SpaceKids Global: A Mission with Purpose
Founding the Organization
In 2015, Sharon Hagle founded SpaceKids Global, a nonprofit aimed at “Bringing the possibility of space to kids everywhere.” The organization inspires elementary and middle school students to pursue STEAM education, combined with an awareness of environmental sustainability.
Global Reach
Through speaking engagements, events, and outreach programs, SpaceKids Global has reached over a million students worldwide. Sharon’s vision is not only about preparing young people for careers in aerospace but also about instilling values of curiosity, responsibility, and innovation.
Empowering Girls in STEAM
One of her strongest passions is ensuring that girls have equal opportunities to pursue science and technology. SpaceKids Global creates pathways for young women to envision themselves as astronauts, engineers, and scientists, helping to balance gender representation in future space industries.
Journey to Space
Blue Origin Experience
In April 2021, Sharon officially registered for a suborbital flight with Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos’s private space company. On March 31, 2022, she and her husband Marc Hagle launched aboard New Shepard NS-20. This historic mission made them the first married couple to fly together on a commercial spacecraft.
The Hagles returned to space again in November 2024 on NS-28, solidifying their place in history as the only married couple to have flown to space twice commercially. These milestones turned Sharon into an international figure of inspiration, embodying what it means to make dreams a reality.
Virgin Galactic Future Astronaut
Even before her Blue Origin flights, Sharon was committed to human spaceflight. Since 2007, she has been a registered Virgin Galactic Future Astronaut, reflecting her long-term dedication to advancing space travel opportunities.
Professional Affiliations and Leadership
The Explorers Club
In February 2024, Sharon became a member of The Explorers Club, an elite community of pioneers who push the boundaries of exploration across land, sea, and space. Her membership highlights her commitment to exploration not only for herself but also for future generations.
Space Force Association
In March 2024, Sharon joined the Space Force Association, reflecting her advocacy for the advancement of America’s presence in space and her alignment with national efforts to ensure space security.
Purdue University College of Engineering Advisory Council
Since August 2023, Sharon has served as a member of the Purdue University College of Engineering Advisory Council. This role allows her to contribute to the future of engineering education while strengthening ties between academia and the space industry.
Additional Memberships
Sharon Hagle is also active in professional organizations like the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and the National Space Society (NSS). These memberships expand her influence across multiple facets of the aerospace community.
Philanthropy and Community Engagement
Arts and Culture
Sharon has contributed to her community through cultural organizations. She served as a Board of Trustee member for the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts from 2017 to 2022. She also held leadership roles with the Orlando Museum of Art, where she served as a past board member and treasurer.
International Philanthropy
Her humanitarian reach extends globally. From 2000 to 2020, Sharon sponsored the Himalayan Youth Foundation in Kathmandu, Nepal, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting education and care for underprivileged and orphaned children.
Environmental Projects
Through the Winter Park Live Oak Fund, she contributed to replacing live oak trees destroyed by hurricanes. These efforts reflect her environmental advocacy, consistent with SpaceKids Global’s emphasis on sustainability.
Personal Life: Marc and Sharon Hagle
A Partnership in Space
Sharon’s husband, Marc Hagle, is a successful businessman and philanthropist in his own right. Together, they have built a reputation as trailblazers in commercial spaceflight. Their partnership represents more than marriage—it symbolizes the unity of vision, adventure, and philanthropy.
Net Worth and Philanthropic Contributions
While their exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, records of their family foundation indicate tens of millions of dollars in assets. They have made multi-million-dollar donations to causes such as education, the arts, and community development. A notable example is their $5 million gift to the University of Central Florida Athletics Department, which named the Sharon & Marc Hagle Gateway in their honor.
Sharon Hagle Age and Residence
Sharon was born in March 1949, making her approximately 76 years old in 2025. She and Marc live in Winter Park, Florida, where they continue to balance philanthropy, business, and space exploration.
Recognition and Impact
Sharon has received numerous honors, including recognition by the Orlando Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business, the Girl Scouts Women of Distinction Award, and the John C. and Martha Hitt Honorary Alumni Award from UCF. These accolades reflect her broad influence in business, community service, and education.
Her story is not just about personal achievement but about creating opportunities for others. Through SpaceKids Global, her space missions, and her philanthropy, she has become a role model for young dreamers worldwide.
Conclusion
Sharon Hagle stands as a living example of what vision, courage, and generosity can achieve. From her career in real estate to founding SpaceKids Global, from flying to space with her husband Marc to investing in the futures of children across the globe, she embodies the spirit of exploration and leadership.
Her journey shows that space is not just the final frontier for astronauts and scientists—it is a place of inspiration for children everywhere. By bridging business, philanthropy, and exploration, Sharon Hagle continues to expand humanity’s horizons while ensuring the next generation is prepared to reach for the stars.
