Karl Wallenda - Bradenton, Florida - Grave of a Famous Person on Waymarking.com

Karl Wallenda was Born in Germany on January 21, 1904 and became one of the most famous of the high wire dare devils. First performing in Europe, the family known as The Great Wallendas eventually brought their act to America where they continued to develop more dangerous stunts that were performed without the use of a net. After coming to America, Karl and his family expanded their famous 4 man high-wire pyramid to what many believed to be an impossible 7-man pyramid. Despite the danger the 7-man pyramid was a part of the show for 14-year, but in 1962 tragedy struck in Detroit, Michigan when one of the base performers lost his balance causing the pyramid to collapse. Two members of the act were killed and another paralyzed. After the Detroit tragedy, the act continued to perform and eventually Karl reintroduced the 7-man pyramid. Karl never retired and continued to perform with the act. In 1978, the 73-year old Karl was walking the high wire that was strung between two building in Puerto Rico. A gust of wind caused him to fall 120-feet to his death. His body was returned to the United States and the patriarch of The Great Wallenda’s was laid to rest here in the Manasota Memorial Park.
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Description: Karl Wallenda was born on January 21, 1904 in Germany. In his late teens and early 20’s Karl formed the family high wire act and was well known throughout Europe. In 1928 the family moved to the United States where they continued to develop more difficult and dangerous high wire acts that were perform without the use of a net. In 1947, Karl expanded the danger 4-man pyramid to and even more dangerous 7-mand pyramid which was the family’s crowning achievement. The family successfully performed the feat for 14-years but on January 30, 1962 in Detroit, Michigan one of the base performers lost his balance and the pyramid collapsed. Two members of the troop died and another was paralyzed. Despite the tragedy the aerialist continued performing and eventually Karl reintroduced the 7-man pyramid back into the act. Over the years, Karl witnessed and was involved in several tragedies but continued to perform on the high wire. In 1978, the 73-year old Karl was set to walk the high wire that was strung between two buildings in Puerto Rico. As Karl made his way across the wire a gust of wind caused him to lose his balance and he fell 120-feet to the pavement below. The patriarch of The Great Wallenda’s was pronounced dead a short time later. Karl was buried here in the Manasota Memorial Park along with several other member of the family who performed on the high wire. Date of birth: 01/21/1904 Date of death: 03/22/1978 Area of notoriety: Entertainment Marker Type: Headstone Setting: Outdoor Visiting Hours/Restrictions: Daily: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Fee required?: No Web site: [Web Link]

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