Wallenda matriarch dies at 87

The matriarch of one of the world's most famous circus families has died.

Jenny Wallenda, of Sarasota, died Friday at 87 years old. She was the older daughter of the high-wire walker Karl Wallenda, who formed the Wallendas high-wire walking troupe with his brother Herman and others in 1922. The group made its American debut with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1928. 

Her husband, Richard Faughnan, fell to death with other troupe members in 1962 while performing the family's signature trick, a seven-person pyramid.

Jenny Wallenda's son, Tino Wallenda, carried on the family tradition with his troupe, the Flying Wallendas. It resurrected the seven-man pyramid in 1998. Jenny Wallenda's grandson, Nik Wallenda, also has carried on the family tradition, walking across the Grand Canyon, among other feats. 

"It is with deep sadness that I say that my Oma/ grandmother passed away last night," Nik Wallenda shared on his Facebook page. "She was an amazing woman who lived a truly incredible life. She will be missed everyday. Oma in your honor, I will Never Give Up!"

Jenny Wallenda helped created the Circus Ring of Fame to which she was inducted in 2008.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].