Nik Wallenda is a renowned American acrobat, aerialist, daredevil, high wire artist, and author famous for his high-wire walks performed without safety nets. He holds 11 Guinness World Records, notably for being the first person to tightrope walk directly over Niagara Falls. In 2020, he completed his longest walk, covering 1,800 feet (550 m) across a steel cable suspended over the Masaya Volcano in Nicaragua, cementing his reputation as a master of his craft and an extraordinary risk-taker.
1962: Seven-Person Pyramid Collapse
In 1962, The Flying Wallendas' famous seven-person pyramid collapsed, resulting in the death of two family members and paralyzing Nik Wallenda's uncle Mario.
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1978: Death of Karl Wallenda
In 1978, Nik Wallenda's great-grandfather, Karl Wallenda, died after falling from a tight rope at age 73 in Puerto Rico.
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January 24, 1979: Nik Wallenda's Birth
On January 24, 1979, Nikolas Wallenda was born. He is an American acrobat, aerialist, daredevil, high wire artist, and author known for his high-wire performances without a safety net.
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1981: First Public Performance
In 1981, Nik Wallenda had his first public performance at SeaWorld San Diego.
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1998: Professional Tightrope Debut
In 1998, Nik Wallenda chose high-wire walking as his career after joining family members in a seven-person pyramid on the wire.
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1998: Re-creation of Karl Wallenda's Pyramid
In 1998, Nik Wallenda participated in a re-creation of Karl Wallenda's seven-person pyramid on the high-wire in Detroit, changing his plans to become a doctor.
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2001: Eight-Person High-Wire Pyramid
In 2001, Nik Wallenda and seven other family members successfully walked across a tightrope in Japan's Kurashiki Tivoli Park, setting a Guinness World Record for the world's first eight-person high-wire pyramid.
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2001: World's First Eight-Person High-Wire Pyramid
In 2001, Nik Wallenda participated in the world's first eight-person high-wire pyramid.
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2002: Performances at Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe
From 2002, Nik Wallenda performed alongside his wife, children, and other family members at Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe in Greensboro, North Carolina.
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2002: Family Performances
From 2002, Nik Wallenda performed with his family at various venues.
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2005: Conceptualization of the Wheel of Steel
In 2005, Nik Wallenda and Bello Nock conceptualized the double Wheel of Steel, drawing initial plans on a tablecloth, which led to its invention and construction.
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2005: Performances at Raging Waters
In 2005, Nik Wallenda and his wife took their act to Raging Waters in San Dimas, California, while his mother and sister stayed at Wet 'n Wild.
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2005: Formation of Own Troupe
In 2005, Nik Wallenda formed his own troupe after performing with his family.
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2006: McDonald's Sponsored Show
In 2006, during a McDonald's sponsored show in Detroit, Nik Wallenda and his sister Lijana performed a coffee-themed act on a high-wire, which required him to rescue her due to a crane malfunction.
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2007: Collaboration with Bello Nock
In 2007, Nik Wallenda performed with Bello Nock in a double version of the Wheel of Steel, an act that Wallenda helped invent.
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2007: Featured Performer in Bellobration
In 2007, Nik Wallenda was a featured performer in the Ringling Brothers production Bellobration, performing with Bello Nock on the Wheel of Steel.
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October 15, 2008: Live Broadcast Performance in Newark
On October 15, 2008, Nik Wallenda performed a walk and bicycle ride on a high-wire in Newark, New Jersey, which was broadcast live on Today.
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2008: Continued Performance in Bellobration
In 2008, Nik Wallenda continued to be a featured performer in the Ringling Brothers production Bellobration, performing with Bello Nock on the Wheel of Steel.
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2008: Continued Performance with Bello Nock
In 2008, Nik Wallenda continued to perform with Bello Nock in the double version of the Wheel of Steel.
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2008: Guinness World Records for Bicycle Ride
In 2008, while performing with Ringling Bros., Nik Wallenda set Guinness World Records for the longest and highest bicycle ride on a high-wire in New Jersey.
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2008: Previous Bicycle Record
Nik Wallenda broke his own record in 2008 for the highest bike ride on a high-wire.
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2009: Personal Bests in Tightrope Walks
In 2009, Nik Wallenda achieved new personal bests for highest and longest tightrope walks, completing a total of 15 walks above 100 feet in the air.
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2009: Multiple High-Wire Performances
In 2009, Nik Wallenda completed 15 high-wire performances at 100 or more feet in the air.
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2009: Walk Across America Tour
In 2009, Nik Wallenda embarked on the "Walk Across America Tour", taking his high-wire act to ten Cedar Fair amusement parks.
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2009: Allegheny River Wire Walk
On July 3, 2009, Nik Wallenda wire walked 200 feet over the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh, overcoming challenges such as strong winds, rain, and an oiled wire.
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August 30, 2010: Atlantis Paradise Island Performance
On August 30, 2010, Nik Wallenda performed at the Atlantis Paradise Island resort in the Bahamas, setting a new Guinness World Record for the highest bike ride on a high-wire and tightrope walking over a marine habitat.
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October 2010: Initial contact regarding Niagara Falls walk
In October 2010, Roger Trevino approached Nik Wallenda about walking across Niagara Falls at an amusement trade show, initiating the process that led to the eventual approval.
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2010: Increased Height Record and Tightrope Walk
In 2010, Nik Wallenda nearly doubled his height record and also upped his personal best by tightrope walking over 2,000 feet in a single performance.
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2010: Performance in Home Town
In 2010, Nik Wallenda performed in his home town of Sarasota for the first time, walking 600 feet between two buildings.
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April 28, 2011: Tropicana Casino Performances
On April 28, 2011, Nik Wallenda performed at the Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City, walking a tightrope inside the casino's shopping center and expressing his desire to walk there upon seeing the ceiling.
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June 4, 2011: High-wire crossing in Puerto Rico
On June 4, 2011, Nik Wallenda recreated his great-grandfather's fatal act by completing a 100-foot high-wire crossing between the two towers of the Condado Plaza Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with his mother, Delilah. He honored his great-grandfather's memory by kneeling and blowing a kiss during the performance.
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June 10, 2011: Hanging from a Helicopter
On June 10, 2011, Nik Wallenda hung from a helicopter 250 feet off the ground using only his toes to hold on.
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June 2011: Public statements against Wallenda's plan
In June 2011, public statements by Niagara Parks Commission (NPC) board members showed opposition to Nik Wallenda's plan to walk across Niagara Falls, citing concerns about safety and the area's natural beauty.
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September 23, 2011: Bill signed into law for one-time exemption
On September 23, 2011, a bill granting Nik Wallenda a one-time exemption to the state's anti-stunting laws was signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo, paving the way for his Niagara Falls walk.
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February 15, 2012: Approval for Niagara Falls tightrope walk
On February 15, 2012, Nik Wallenda received official approval from Ontario's Niagara Parks Commission to walk a tightrope across Niagara Falls, fulfilling a childhood dream. The plan involved crossing the Niagara River from the American side to the Canadian side.
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May 11, 2012: ABC secures broadcasting rights for Niagara Falls walk
On May 11, 2012, ABC and Lincoln Square Productions secured worldwide broadcasting rights for Nik Wallenda's Niagara Falls tightrope walk, with Josh Elliott and Hannah Storm hosting the coverage.
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June 15, 2012: Niagara Falls Crossing
On June 15, 2012, Nik Wallenda crossed Niagara Falls on a live ABC special, requiring him to wear a safety harness for the first time.
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June 2012: Increased hotel occupancy in Niagara Falls, New York
In June 2012, Hotel occupancy in Niagara Falls, New York rose to 81.6%, from 76.5% in June 2011 after Wallenda's walk.
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June 18, 2012: Premiere of reality show Danger By Design
On June 18, 2012, the reality show Danger By Design, following Nik Wallenda and his family, premiered on The Science Channel, showcasing the science and engineering behind his stunts.
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June 20, 2012: Wallenda rejoins family in Branson
On June 20, 2012, Nik Wallenda rejoined his family in Branson, Missouri, where he was greeted with a parade at the Silver Dollar theme park and resumed his performances.
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August 2012: Expected timeline for Grand Canyon crossing
In August 2012, Nik Wallenda said that he was "98 percent" certain that the Grand Canyon walk would take place in May or June 2013.
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March 18, 2013: Agreement with The Discovery Channel for Grand Canyon walk
On March 18, 2013, Nik Wallenda announced he had reached an agreement with The Discovery Channel for the television rights to his planned Grand Canyon tightrope walk.
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June 4, 2013: Publication of memoir Balance: A Story of Faith, Family, and Life on the Line
On June 4, 2013, Nik Wallenda's memoir, Balance: A Story of Faith, Family, and Life on the Line, co-written with David Ritz, was published, detailing his family history, Christian faith, and circus career.
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June 2013: Expected timeline for Grand Canyon crossing
In June 2013, Nik Wallenda had mentioned that he was "98 percent" certain that the Grand Canyon walk would take place in May or June, although he would get "something in writing" that no safety harness would be required for the walk
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June 23, 2013: Grand Canyon Walk
On June 23, 2013, Nik Wallenda became the first person to high-wire walk across the Grand Canyon, which aired live on the Discovery Channel.
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2013: Contract with Discovery Channel
As of 2013, Nik Wallenda has a contract with the Discovery Channel for near-exclusive broadcast of his acts.
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April 2014: Scouting skyscrapers in Chicago for tightrope walk
In April 2014, Nik Wallenda announced he was scouting skyscrapers in Chicago, Illinois, for a televised tightrope walk event for the Discovery Channel, expressing interest in walking between the Willis Tower and another nearby skyscraper.
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November 2, 2014: Skyscraper Live Special and World Records
On November 2, 2014, Nik Wallenda completed two tightrope walks and set two new Guinness World Records during the Skyscraper Live special.
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March 4, 2020: Masaya Volcano Tightrope Walk
On March 4, 2020, Nik Wallenda walked 1,800 feet on a steel cable over Masaya Volcano in Nicaragua. This was his longest walk to date.
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June 17, 2021: Highwire Walk at D'Youville College
On June 17, 2021, Nik Wallenda performed a 320-foot highwire walk at D'Youville College in Buffalo, New York, for the grand opening of the Health Professions Hub, walking between the library and the new building. Wallenda removed the tether due to it getting stuck during the final steps.
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