Nik Wallenda nears the completion of his quarter-mile walk near the Grand Canyon in June 2013 in Arizona. He crossed the Little Colorado River Gorge without the aid of a safety tether. He is a member of the famous Flying Wallendas, founded by his great-grandfather Karl in the 1920s, and also walked across Niagara Falls last year.
Tiffany Brown/AP Images for Discovery Communications
Wallenda family through the years —
A promotional poster shows the original performers who came to America in 1928. Clockwise from top left are Karl Wallenda, Helen Wallenda, Joe Geiger and Herman Wallenda.
Courtesy Tino Wallenda
Wallenda family through the years —
Karl Wallenda performs on a sway pole in Europe before the troupe's move to America in 1928.
Courtesy Nic Wallenda
Wallenda family through the years —
The Wallendas perform the four-person pyramid, one of their signature acts. In 1948, the team created a seven-person pyramid.
courtesy Tino Wallenda
Wallenda family through the years —
The Wallendas practice an eight-person pyramid in 1947. This version was never performed in a show.
courtesy tino wallenda
Wallenda family through the years —
Karl Wallenda walks a tightrope between two corners of the Tower Hotel in London in 1976. Two years later, Wallenda died during a similar walk between two towers of the Condado Plaza Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He was 73.
Getty Images
Wallenda family through the years —
A young Nik Wallenda watches his mother, Delilah, get ready for a show.
Courtesy Nic Wallenda
Wallenda family through the years —
Nik Wallenda started performing with his family as a clown at age 2 and walking the wire at age 4.
Courtesy Nic Wallenda
Wallenda family through the years —
Nik Wallenda and his sister, Lijana, practice walking the wire.
Wallenda family through the years —
Nik Wallenda takes to the wire for the first time professionally at age 13.
Courtesy Nic Wallenda
Wallenda family through the years —
Nik Wallenda attempts the "Wheel of Death" for the first time.
Courtesy Nic Wallenda
Wallenda family through the years —
Nik Wallenda rehearses for his attempt to cross Niagara Falls on a wire in the parking lot of the Seneca Niagara Casino in Niagara Falls, New York.
Wallenda family through the years —
Nik Wallenda walks the tightrope over Niagara Falls on June 15, 2012. The tense 1,800-foot journey took 25 minutes, reports say.
