Nik Wallenda born in Sarasota, Florida

Nik Wallenda is born Nikolas Wallenda in Sarasota, Florida to Terry Troffer and Delilah Wallenda.He is a seventh-generation member of The Flying Wallendas aerialists family. The family, of Austro-Hungarian descent, have been circus performers since the 1700s. They were made famous in the 1920s by Nik’s great-grandfather Karl Wallenda, for their high-wire balancing acts without nets. Karl died during a high-wire performance in Puerto Rico in 1978.

My great-grandfather, Karl Wallenda, was my biggest hero in life, my biggest inspiration behind everything I do.