Couple Proposes at the Top of Empire State Building After Daring Climb

In a breathtaking display of love and adventure, Russian climbers Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus scaled the Empire State Building, where they became engaged at the top. Their daring ascent, marked by a powerful message about love and peace, captured the attention of onlookers and prompted an emergency response. After their engagement, the couple was taken into custody by police, leaving many curious about their climb and the potential consequences. Known for their fearless climbs, they have also been featured in a Netflix documentary. Discover the full story of this remarkable couple's adventure and engagement.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 2, 2026, 00:16 IST

Daring Climb Leads to Engagement

Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, two Russian urban climbers, have revealed themselves as the adventurous couple who ascended the Empire State Building in New York City. The duo, both clad in black, reached the pinnacle of the iconic structure's 1,454-foot spire on Wednesday, where they displayed a banner that read: "When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace." This phrase is a twist on a quote often linked to guitarist Jimi Hendrix, though it was originally articulated by William Gladstone, a British Prime Minister from the 19th century.

Footage from the scene captured the couple spending approximately 30 minutes atop the antenna before beginning their descent. As they reached a lower platform, Beerkus appeared to propose to Nikolau, who joyfully accepted, leading to a heartfelt embrace and kiss. Shortly after, police arrived at the scene and took the couple into custody around 1 PM local time, as reported by various media outlets. The authorities have yet to disclose any specific charges against them.

Their climb triggered an emergency response after they were spotted high above Midtown Manhattan, and it remains uncertain how they accessed the transmitter to scale the building. Both Nikolau, aged 33, and Beerkus, aged 32, are recognized for their daring climbs of skyscrapers and other tall structures without the use of ropes or harnesses. Their adventures were highlighted in the upcoming Netflix documentary, Skywalkers: A Love Story, which chronicles their ascent of Malaysia's Merdeka 118 tower, the second tallest building in the world.