A Russian couple known for their daring rooftop climbs made headlines after scaling the Empire State Building's antenna and getting engaged at the very top before being arrested by police.
Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, who were featured in the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story, climbed to the highest point of the iconic New York skyscraper, reaching an elevation of about 1,454 feet above the city.
While standing on the narrow tip of the antenna, the couple held up a banner that read:
"When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace."
The quote is originally credited to 19th-century British politician William Gladstone, although it is often associated with legendary musician Jimi Hendrix.
After spending time at the top, the couple carefully began climbing back down the metal framework of the antenna. During the descent, Beerkus surprised Nikolau by proposing with a ring.
Nikolau accepted the proposal while still high above the city, putting on the ring before the pair continued their climb down together.
The unusual stunt quickly attracted attention from authorities. Several streets around Fifth Avenue and 34th Street were temporarily closed as New York Police Department (NYPD) officers responded to the scene.
Police eventually took both climbers into custody without any reported injuries or resistance and removed the banner they had displayed.
An Empire State Building spokesperson described the incident as an "unauthorized incident" that was handled in coordination with the NYPD. Officials said the climb did not pose any danger to office tenants, visitors, or people on the building's observation decks.
Authorities are now investigating how the pair managed to access the restricted antenna area, which is located well above sections of the building open to the public.
The couple could face criminal charges. Under New York City law, climbing a structure taller than 50 feet without permission is considered a Class A misdemeanor, which can carry penalties of up to one year in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.
Nikolau and Beerkus are well known for performing risky climbs around the world. Their Netflix documentary, Skywalkers: A Love Story, followed their adventures over seven years across six countries, documenting both their passion for extreme urban climbing and their relationship.
Their latest climb has once again drawn worldwide attention, combining a dramatic marriage proposal with another high-risk stunt that has sparked both admiration and criticism.
