Circus Performer. Tightrope walker, patriarch of the circus group known as "The Great Wallendas." The signature event in the act was a creation by Karl Wallenda, known as The Seven Man Pyramid. The pyramid was created by four men standing on a wire 35 feet in the air, with the two pairs yoked together by shoulder bars. On top of them on the second level stood two more men, again yoked together with a shoulder bar. At the pinnacle of this pyramid was a woman sitting and then standing on a chair. This act was the crowning achievement for the Wallendas. They performed it successfully for 14 years, even surviving an earthquake during a performance in South America. However, at the State Fair Coliseum in Detroit, Michigan, on January 30th, 1962, the front man in the act lost his balance, causing the collapse of the pyramid and the death of 2 members of the troop. Another member was paralyzed by the tragic accident. Karl Wallenda himself saved the girl on the top of the pyramid by catching and holding her on the second wire until a net could be rigged to catch them. The Wallendas, despite the tragedy, gave an abbreviated performance the very next night. He continued to perform until his death in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1978, when he fell while performing a walk between two buildings. He was 73. His grandchildren continue the family tightrope walking tradition today.
Circus Performer. Tightrope walker, patriarch of the circus group known as "The Great Wallendas." The signature event in the act was a creation by Karl Wallenda, known as The Seven Man Pyramid. The pyramid was created by four men standing on a wire 35 feet in the air, with the two pairs yoked together by shoulder bars. On top of them on the second level stood two more men, again yoked together with a shoulder bar. At the pinnacle of this pyramid was a woman sitting and then standing on a chair. This act was the crowning achievement for the Wallendas. They performed it successfully for 14 years, even surviving an earthquake during a performance in South America. However, at the State Fair Coliseum in Detroit, Michigan, on January 30th, 1962, the front man in the act lost his balance, causing the collapse of the pyramid and the death of 2 members of the troop. Another member was paralyzed by the tragic accident. Karl Wallenda himself saved the girl on the top of the pyramid by catching and holding her on the second wire until a net could be rigged to catch them. The Wallendas, despite the tragedy, gave an abbreviated performance the very next night. He continued to perform until his death in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1978, when he fell while performing a walk between two buildings. He was 73. His grandchildren continue the family tightrope walking tradition today.
Bio by: John Sheets
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