Wallenda, Helen (1910–1996)

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Wallenda, Helen (1910–1996)

German-born trapeze artist. Born Helen Kreis, Dec 11, 1910, in Germany; died May 9, 1996, in Sarasota, FL; m. Karl Wallenda (circus performer), 1935 (fell to his death, 1978).

At 16, joined her husband-to-be's Flying Wallendas (also known as the Great Wallendas), a daredevil circus act famed for performing highwire stunts without a net; with group, came to US (1928); was the peak of the family's famed 3-tier, 7-man pyramid; retired (1956). Over the years, 8 of the Wallendas died while performing.