A Daring Climb Leads to a Marriage Proposal — and an Arrest

Two climbers scaled the antenna of the Empire State Building on Wednesday and unfurled a banner about love and peace. The stunt turned out to be a high-altitude marriage proposal. The couple, known as Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, are Russian climbers famous for scaling tall buildings without permission. Shortly after their climb, police arrested them on several charges.

Nikolau and Beerkus were featured in a 2024 Netflix documentary called 'Skywalkers: A Love Story.' The film follows the couple as they climb skyscrapers around the world, sometimes sneaking in by pretending to be construction workers. Their dangerous climbs are called 'rooftopping,' and the documentary showed both their adventures and their growing romance.

The two climbers were dressed in black and wearing masks. They had no safety tethers — ropes that would keep them from falling. News helicopter video showed them standing on a narrow ledge near the top of the antenna, which reaches 1,454 feet above midtown Manhattan. A banner they brought read, 'when the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.'

After spending time at the top, the couple began climbing down along the metal framework of the antenna. At a wider ledge below, one of them appeared to set up a camera, then got down on one knee. After they kissed and hugged, the other person took selfies while holding out a left hand, as if showing off a new ring. It was a dramatic way to pop the question.

Police officers from the Emergency Services Unit began climbing up a ladder inside the antenna to reach them. Body camera video showed an officer telling the couple, 'Well, you can't be up here.' A voice from off-camera replied with what sounded like, 'We are engaged.' A few moments later, the couple calmly spoke with police as they came down.

After the climb, Nikolau posted photos from the adventure on her social media accounts. One photo showed an engagement-style ring held up with a sweeping view of Manhattan far below. Police charged them with burglary, reckless endangerment, and other offenses. It was not immediately clear if they had lawyers to speak for them.

The Empire State Building's management said the climb was 'unauthorized' and that no one inside was put in danger. However, they did not explain how the couple got past security to reach the antenna, which is far above areas open to the public. Visitors are screened before entering and told not to bring large bags, costumes, or masks — yet the couple managed to bring all of their gear.

A tourist named Julie Morris said she spotted the couple slipping through a mesh gate into a restricted area on one of the observation decks. She assumed they were workers because they were not wearing masks at that point. On the street below, crowds gathered and stared upward in amazement. Jonathan Roman, a tourist from Glasgow, Scotland, said the spectacle was 'probably more exciting than going up to the viewing platform for the second time.'

This was not the first time someone has climbed the Empire State Building's antenna without permission. Several daring climbers have done so in the past. In 2023, actor Jared Leto was actually given permission to climb to the base of the antenna to promote a concert tour. But for Nikolau and Beerkus, their climb — and their engagement — ended with a trip to the police station.