Two masked daredevils climbed to the top of New York City’s Empire State Building on July 1, 2026, in a hair-raising stunt that culminated in a marriage proposal. The couple scaled the lightning rod at the pinnacle of the iconic skyscraper, reaching a height of 1,454 feet (443 metres) including the antenna and spire, before unfurling a cryptic protest banner.
Protest banner and proposal
The banner read: ‘When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.’ New Yorkers at street level tried to catch a glimpse of the couple as they clung to the rod. Tourists on the observation deck below were cleared shortly after midday local time. After descending to a lower level below the radio mast, the man, dressed in a black top and trousers, dropped to one knee. The woman removed her mask, and they kissed following the extreme proposal.
Arrest and possible identity
The couple was later taken into police custody, according to ABC News. While their identities have not been officially confirmed, the stunt has been linked to Russian rooftopper Angela Nikolau, known for scaling skyscrapers and posting on social media. A post appeared on her Instagram account with images of the stunt. Her story, said to be posted by an assistant, stated: ‘Currently at the Empire State Building, you can watch on the city webcam.’ One of the posts tagged Ivan Beerkus, a Russian musician and Nikolau’s boyfriend. The couple appeared in the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story.
Historical context
The Empire State Building was erected in a record-breaking 13 months in the aftermath of the Great Depression. When it opened in 1931, it was the tallest building in the world, a title it held for 40 years.
