Philippe Petit

Date of Birth: August 13, 1949

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Biography

Philippe Petit is a French high-wire artist who gained international fame for his daring high-wire walk between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City on August 7, 1974. Born in Nemours, Seine-et-Marne, France, Petit began his journey into the world of performance art at a young age, initially dabbling in magic and juggling. His passion for high-wire walking led him to undertake numerous high-profile and often illegal stunts, earning him the nickname “The Man on Wire.” Petit’s 1974 World Trade Center walk, completed without official permission, involved meticulous planning and preparation. The event captivated the world and solidified his status as one of the most audacious performers of his time. His feat was later immortalized in the Oscar-winning documentary “Man on Wire” (2008) and inspired the feature film “The Walk” (2015), where Joseph Gordon-Levitt portrayed Petit. Throughout his career, Petit has performed on numerous other high wires, authored several books, and lectured on creativity and risk-taking. His work continues to inspire awe and admiration across the globe.

5 Interesting Facts about Philippe Petit

1. Philippe Petit performed his World Trade Center walk without any safety harness or net, elevating the risk and the excitement of the stunt.

2. Petit has walked high wires across other famous landmarks, including the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

3. He was arrested multiple times for his unauthorized high-wire walks, including his famous Twin Towers stunt, but often received light sentences due to the public’s fascination and admiration for his bravery.

4. Philippe Petit is also an accomplished author and has written several books, including “To Reach the Clouds,” which details his Twin Towers walk.

5. He has also worked as an artist-in-residence at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Philippe Petit

1. “Life should be lived on the edge. You have to exercise rebellion. To refuse to taper yourself to rules, to refuse your own success, to refuse to repeat yourself, to see every day, every year, every idea as a true challenge.”

2. “I see three oranges, and I have to juggle. I see two towers, and I have to walk.”

3. “If I die, what a beautiful death!”

4. “It’s impossible, that’s sure. So let’s start working.”

5. “To me, it’s so simple that life should be lived on the edge of life. You have to exercise rebellion. To refuse to taper yourself to rules, to refuse your own success, to refuse to repeat yourself, to see every day, every year, every idea as a true challenge.”