A daring marriage proposal atop New York City’s iconic Empire State Building ended with handcuffs after two social media-famous climbers scaled the building’s 1,454-foot antenna without authorization.
Russian daredevils Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Beerkus (also identified in some reports as Ivan Kuznetsov), 32, climbed the skyscraper’s spire on Wednesday carrying a banner bearing the message: “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.” As helicopters circled overhead and crowds watched from below, Beerkus got down on one knee and proposed to Nikolau, who accepted before the couple embraced at the top of one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks.
The pair then began climbing down, where they were met by members of the New York Police Department’s Emergency Service Unit and taken into custody shortly before 1 p.m. Police later charged the couple with multiple offences, including burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, criminal tampering, possession of burglar’s tools, disorderly conduct and violating local laws.
Investigators believe the pair accessed the antenna by entering through a locked maintenance hatch near the building’s 102nd-floor observation deck after allegedly breaking locks and bypassing restricted areas. Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage as part of the investigation.
The incident prompted a temporary disruption at the Empire State Building, with sections of the observation deck cleared while police responded. Witnesses said visitors were instructed to move indoors as officers secured the scene. Despite the dramatic stunt, Empire State Building officials said there was never any danger to tenants or visitors.
In a statement, the building’s management said the unauthorized incident was safely resolved with the assistance of the NYPD, adding that the observation deck already offers “a practical way for the most memorable marriage proposals.”
Nikolau and Beerkus are internationally known for documenting their unauthorized climbs of skyscrapers and landmarks around the world. Their exploits were featured in the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story, which chronicles both their relationship and their high-risk urban climbing adventures. The couple also documented Wednesday’s climb on social media, with Nikolau sharing photos from the top of the Empire State Building, including images of her engagement ring against the New York City skyline.
The stunt drew widespread attention online, with some praising the couple’s message of peace and dramatic proposal, while others criticized the dangerous and illegal nature of the climb.
