Skip to main content

About

Delilah Wallenda was born in Sarasota, Florida to the family that has been commonly referred to as the first family of the air, The Great Wallendas. As far back as she can remember she traveled in the unique world of the circus along with her extended family, all which were led by her grandfather Karl.

“In 1928 John Ringling brought the Wallenda Troupe from Germany to perform in his “Greatest Show On Earth.” It was opening night in Madison Square Gardens and the Wallendas had just completed a heart-stopping routine of breathtaking feats on the high wire 50 feet above the concrete floor. The arena came alive with whistling, cheering and foot-stomping. The Wallendas ran back to their dressing room in fear of what might happen next for you see back in those times over in Europe whistling and foot-stomping was the same as being booed off the stage. Certain they would be fired on the spot and their dreams of coming to America would soon vanish, there was a pounding on the dressing room door and the ringmaster demanded that they return to the arena floor for he could not restart the show until the Wallendas received a fifteen minute standing ovation. The rest as they say is history.”

The Wallendas can trace back their circus lineage to a time when a man named George Washington became president of a brand new country. It was many years later that the family had a new beginning here in America… on an opening night in Madison Square Gardens.

As a young girl growing up watching her relatives perform some of the most astounding feats on the high wire, Delilah often dreamed of one day standing at the apex of that human pyramid, made up of family members who literally risked their lives each time they climbed to the peak of the big top. When Delilah was old enough to begin training for the act she discovered early on that it required not only focus, physical strength and courage but also the desire to show audiences what the human spirit is capable of achieving. Delilah learned these lessons from her grandfather Karl while performing in his troupe. Today Delilah continues to travel and to share her remarkable stories of performing the alongside her famous family and through perseverance and determination how to achieve what seems impossible.

About

Delilah Wallenda was born in Sarasota, Florida to the family that has been commonly referred to as the first family of the air, The Great Wallendas. As far back as she can remember she traveled in the unique world of the circus along with her extended family, all which were led by her grandfather Karl.

“In 1928 John Ringling brought the Wallenda Troupe from Germany to perform in his “Greatest Show On Earth.” It was opening night in Madison Square Gardens and the Wallendas had just completed a heart-stopping routine of breathtaking feats on the high wire 50 feet above the concrete floor. The arena came alive with whistling, cheering and foot-stomping. The Wallendas ran back to their dressing room in fear of what might happen next for you see back in those times over in Europe whistling and foot-stomping was the same as being booed off the stage. Certain they would be fired on the spot and their dreams of coming to America would soon vanish, there was a pounding on the dressing room door and the ringmaster demanded that they return to the arena floor for he could not restart the show until the Wallendas received a fifteen minute standing ovation. The rest as they say is history.”

The Wallendas can trace back their circus lineage to a time when a man named George Washington became president of a brand new country. It was many years later that the family had a new beginning here in America… on an opening night in Madison Square Gardens.

As a young girl growing up watching her relatives perform some of the most astounding feats on the high wire, Delilah often dreamed of one day standing at the apex of that human pyramid, made up of family members who literally risked their lives each time they climbed to the peak of the big top. When Delilah was old enough to begin training for the act she discovered early on that it required not only focus, physical strength and courage but also the desire to show audiences what the human spirit is capable of achieving. Delilah learned these lessons from her grandfather Karl while performing in his troupe. Today Delilah continues to travel and to share her remarkable stories of performing the alongside her famous family and through perseverance and determination how to achieve what seems impossible.

“

Five minutes before the event I’m already standing close to the starting point. I make a last minute wardrobe check while engaging in small talk with family members and friends.

My husband Terry has just completed a go/no go list with the technical support crew and gives me a ‘thumbs up’ that all conditions are good to go. I take comfort in knowing that the equipment for the walk will be safe on his watch.

It’s about two minutes to showtime and I’m in position scanning the view, taking it all in, feeling the adrenaline starting to flow. I think for a moment about my family and how they have bravely gone before me. I pick up my balancing pole and step up onto the wire 400 feet above the street. The crowds below appear to look like one solid, yet moving mass of color and I hear their cheers of encouragement. This is the moment, this is what I have trained for since childhood.

Delilah’s thoughts just prior to a Skywalk performance
“

I’m often asked, why do you do it ? Why do you risk your life like that ? Don’t you understand how risky this is? My answer never waivers… I do it to inspire others, people of all ages and all walks of life”.To let people know that you can reach what seems un-reachable, achieve the un-achievable.

Yes, this is how my family earned a living for generations but to me it is more than that, far more . I want to show others what the human spirit is capable of accomplishing by focusing on goals and learning to dwell on the positive points and not the negative ones. Using a laser-like focus on goals and unstoppable commitment. How to identify some of the things holding you back such as fear or embarrassment of failure. Fear is the enemy. Fear doesn’t play fair. It will lie to you every time. Fear can come disguised as the voice of reason, the voice of self-preservation, constantly whispering to you that you can’t make it, or it’s far too risky. I can tell you right here and now you are stronger than any fear out there you are facing. If you eliminate the burden of fear you can focus clearly, pushing through the wall that’s holding you back, never giving up and reaching those goals you have set for yourself.

History of The Wallenda Family

Play Video

Delilah and Nik's Highwire Walk

Play Video

Delilah's Final Highwire Walk

Play Video

The Last of the Wallendas

The “Great Wallendas” was one of the most famous daredevil aerial circus acts in history. Delilah Wallenda, who continues to walk the wire, reveals the colorful, poignant inside story of circus life, her eccentric grandfather Karl and a family shaken by public tragedy and mayhem including fights, affairs, divorces, bigamy, suicides and insanity through years.

Delilah tells the true story of Karl and how he created and performed the dangerous seven-person pyramid, then lived with the highwire tragedy that left his adopted son permanently paralyzed and his son-in-law and nephew dead. Ultimately, Karl fell to his death in Puerto Rico several years later, when he attempted to walk the wire between two tall buildings. It is Delilah, the only woman to walk in her grandfather’s footsteps, who successfully completed the sky-walk in Puerto Rico.

Delilah’s roots are deeply embedded in circus tradition. Her European family early on boasted jugglers, tumblers, trapeze artists, dancers, slackwire artists and trainers of animals – from Great Danes to seals, lions and wolves. When her mother, Jenny, stopped performing because of Karl’s obsession to perform “the seven”, Delilah stepped in.

“What will I do?” asks Delilah Wallenda. “My life has always been intertwined with what it means to be a Wallenda. I walk the wire because it’s in my blood. It’s what I do and what my mother and grandfather did before me. Those who care as much as I do must fight. The circus tradition is in its last frontier, but I won’t give up. I have to preserve our heritage and our future.”

Delilah continues on the highwire, exciting audiences and fulfilling the Wallenda Mission.

Buy on Amazon

Speaking Engagements

Delilah is available for speaking engagements for your organization. From business events, library associations, book clubs and educational systems she has shared her stories to a wide spectrum of groups and is ready to inspire others through her messages.

Please use the contact form for further information.

Play Video

In Press

Contact Me