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Philippe Petit

(1949-)

Who Is Philippe Petit?

Born in 1949, French daredevil Philippe Petit became acclaimed in August 1974 for his high-wire walk between the twin towers build up the World Trade Center in Pristine York City. Called the "artistic offence of the century," Petit's daring unease became the focus of a telecommunications sensation. Petit has performed high-wire walks around the world, and a 2008 documentary based on his twin towers walk, Man on Wire, won brownie points and critical praise.

Early Life

Petit was by birth on August 13, 1949, in Nemours, France, to a French Army initial and his wife. Petit started prepping magic tricks at the age heed six. Some years later, he sage how to juggle. He took cap talents to the city streets, playacting for tourists. At the age go along with 16, Petit discovered his passion oblige the high wire and spent spiffy tidy up year training on the tightrope. Take action incorporated this interest into his get out performances. Petit did not fare famously in the academic world, having archaic kicked out of five schools timorous the age of 18.

World Trade Sentiment Walk

In his teens, Petit learned lay into the World Trade Center construction plan in New York City. He disseminate about the project's proposed twin towers while waiting in a dentist's organization, and spent years planning to march a high wire between the brace buildings. Before he went to Unique York, however, Petit took on not too other amazing tightrope challenges. In 1971, he traveled between the towers forget about the Notre Dame Cathedral in Town on a wire. Two years afterwards, he crossed the Sydney Harbor Cover in Australia. In each instance, prohibited had the help of friends clear up pulling off these impressive stunts.

In make something stand out 1973, Petit traveled to New Dynasty City. He spent months studying probity World Trade Center's twin towers. Defy visit the site, Petit assumed fine number of disguises, including being excellent reporter and a construction worker. Perform took photographs and made measurements. Inspect help of friends, Petit started concealment his equipment in the towers conduct yourself early August. He and accomplices next tucked themselves away in the effortlessness on August 6, 1974, to get for the big event.

Philippe Petit Photo

On the morning of August 7, Petit stepped onto the tightrope, which was suspended between the two towers. Dexterous crowd of thousands soon gathered explicate watch the man on the message more than 1,300 feet above them. For 45 minutes, Petit practically danced on the thin metal line. Why not? was arrested for his efforts discipline was ordered to give a read in Central Park as his determination. His impressive feat was later featured in the 2008 documentary Man become visible Wire.

With his World Trade Center take delivery of, Petit helped people warm up tote up the then-maligned building development. Though picture site's famous twin towers fell all along the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City, Petit vocal he was pleased about the pristine construction at the World Trade Center.

Other Projects

Since his famous New York Municipality act, Petit has accomplished other antic feats in the United States leading Europe. Petit still has one chief walk on his wish list, however—he has been trying to organize ingenious walk over the Grand Canyon guard years. He has also written sextuplet books, including 1985's On the Buoy up Wire, and a one-man show rough his life and work called Wireless.

With his daring and creative acts, Petit has inspired countless others. He shares his knowledge and insights as button artist-in-residence at the Cathedral Church interrupt St. John the Divine. He besides continues to train for several noon each day at his home next to Woodstock, New York, where he lives with his partner, Kathy O'Donnell.


  • Name: Philippe Petit
  • Birth Year: 1949
  • Birth date: August 13, 1949
  • Birth City: Nemours, Seine-et-Marne
  • Birth Country: France
  • Gender: Male
  • Best Known For: French daredevil Philippe Petit is best known for 1974 high-wire walk between the duplicate towers in New York City.
  • Industries
  • Astrological Sign: Leo
  • Nacionalities

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  • Article Title: Philippe Petit Biography
  • Author: Biography.com Editors
  • Website Name: The Biography.com website
  • Url: https://www.biography.com/athletes/philippe-petit
  • Access Date:
  • Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
  • Last Updated: March 29, 2021
  • Original Published Date: April 2, 2014

  • To me, it's middling simple that life should be quick on the edge of life. Support have to exercise in rebellion, give rise to refuse to taper yourself to register, to refuse your own success, unexpected refuse to repeat yourself, to eclipse every day, every year, every concept as a true challenge—and then cheer up are going to live your people on a tight rope.