Angela Nikolau is one of the most daring and talked-about figures in the world of rooftopping and extreme photography. Born on 24 June 1993 in Moscow, Russia, she is now 33 years old as of July 2026. Standing at 5 feet 3 inches, Angela has built her reputation by climbing some of the tallest buildings in the world without safety gear, capturing breathtaking selfies and videos that have stunned millions of viewers online.
Angela is not just a rooftopper; she is also an artist, gymnast, and storyteller who uses her body and surroundings to create powerful visual art. Over the years, she has climbed skyscrapers in China, Malaysia, and the United States, often pushing boundaries of safety and legality. In July 2026, she made headlines worldwide when her fiancé, Ivan Beerkus, proposed to her on top of the Empire State Building spire in New York City.
Angela Nikolau Age, Career, Boyfriend, Family, Arrest
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Angela Nikolau |
| Date of Birth | 24 June 1993 |
| Age (as of July 2026) | 33 years old |
| Birthplace | Moscow, Russia |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Height | 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm) |
| Profession(s) | Rooftopper, Photographer, Artist, Gymnast |
| Known For | Daring rooftop climbs, viral selfies, performance art |
| Father | Dmitriy Nikolau (Circus performer) |
| Mother | Name not publicly known; supportive of her artistic pursuits |
| Heritage | Russian with Greek roots |
| Education | Russian State Specialized Academy of Arts (dropped out in final year) |
| Early Training | Rhythmic gymnastics, ballet, tumbling (trained from age 7 to 16) |
| Major Climbs | Goldin Finance 117 (China, 2016), Ping An Finance Centre (China, 2016), Merdeka 118 (Malaysia, 2022), Empire State Building (USA, 2026) |
| Documentaries | On the Edge of Freedom (2017), Who is Next? (2018), Skywalkers: A Love Story (Netflix, 2024) |
| NFT Art | Featured in NFT Yearbook (2022); works like Sanctuary and Above Stillness sold on SuperRare |
| Fiancé | Ivan Beerkus (Ivan Kuznetsov), rooftopper and partner since 2016 |
| Engagement | Proposed on Empire State Building spire, New York (July 2026) |
| Residence | East Orange, New Jersey, USA |
| Hobbies | Traveling, swimming, reading, dancing |
| Pets | Pet cat (often featured on social media) |
| Controversies | Questioned in 2015 rooftopping case; multiple arrests for unauthorized climbs; arrested in New York (July 2026) |
| Court Date | 24 August 2026 (Empire State Building case) |
| Online Presence | Instagram: @angela_nikolau/ Wikipedia: @Angela_Nikolau |
Early Life and Family Background
On 24 June 1993, Angela was born in Moscow into a family with strong artistic roots. Her Greek ancestry introduced her to performance art at an early age, and her father, Dmitriy Nikolau, was a circus performer. Growing up in such an environment, Angela was surrounded by creativity, discipline, and risk-taking, which later shaped her fearless personality.
Her family background played a big role in her career choices. While her father’s circus life introduced her to physical performance and daring acts, her mother encouraged her artistic side. She often credits her upbringing for giving her the courage to pursue rooftopping, a field that combines athletic skill with artistic expression.
Childhood Training and Education
Angela’s childhood was filled with training and discipline. She attended public schools in Moscow and later studied at a Christian School of Arts. From the age of seven, she began training in rhythmic gymnastics, ballet, and tumbling, continuing until she was sixteen.
She also studied at the Russian State Specialized Academy of Arts, where she explored painting and visual storytelling. Although she dropped out in her final year, her time at the academy gave her a deeper understanding of art and creativity. Angela’s artistic journey began during her college years when she started experimenting with photography.
Career Beginnings: Rooftopping in Moscow
Angela’s rooftopping journey started in her home city of Moscow. In the early 2010s, she began climbing tall buildings and capturing selfies from dangerous heights. Her boldness quickly caught the attention of social media users, and her Instagram account became a window into her daring lifestyle.
Her first viral photos showed her sitting on the edge of skyscrapers, balancing with ease, and smiling into the camera. Angela’s ability to combine danger with artistry made her work unique. By 2014 and 2015, she was already being covered by Russian and international media as one of the most fearless rooftoppers in the world.
Documentaries and Media Appearances
In 2017, she appeared in the documentary On the Edge of Freedom, which explored the rooftopping subculture. The film showed her life, her climbs, and the risks involved in this extreme art form. In 2018, she was featured in Who is Next?, another documentary that highlighted her growing influence.
Her biggest media breakthrough came in 2024 when Netflix released Skywalkers: A Love Story, a documentary about her relationship with Ivan Beerkus and their shared rooftopping adventures. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and introduced Angela to a wider global audience.
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Personal Life and Relationship
Angela’s personal life is closely tied to her rooftopping career. She has been in a long-term relationship with Ivan Beerkus (also known as Ivan Kuznetsov) since 2016. Together, they have climbed skyscrapers across Asia, Europe, and America. Their partnership is built on trust, courage, and shared passion for rooftopping.
The couple currently resides in East Orange, New Jersey, where they continue to plan new projects. Their relationship has been featured in documentaries and media stories, showing the emotional side of their daring adventures. Angela often describes Ivan as her strongest supporter, both in life and in art.
Global Recognition Through Dangerous Climbs
Angela’s fame grew when she started climbing skyscrapers outside Russia. In 2016, she scaled Goldin Finance 117 in Tianjin, China, which was then one of the tallest buildings under construction. Later that year, she climbed the Ping An Finance Centre in Shenzhen, another record-breaking skyscraper.
Her climbs were not just about thrill-seeking. Angela presented them as a form of performance art. She wanted to show the beauty of cities from above and the human spirit’s ability to overcome fear. By the late 2010s, Angela was known worldwide as the “selfie daredevil” who risked her life to capture unforgettable images.
NFT Art and Creative Ventures
Angela’s creativity did not stop at photography. In 2022, she entered the world of NFT art, turning her rooftop photos into digital artworks. Her pieces were featured in the NFT Yearbook, and she sold works like Sanctuary and Above Stillness on platforms such as SuperRare.
Her move into NFTs showed that Angela was more than just a climber. She was an artist who wanted to explore different mediums. By selling her rooftop photos as NFTs, she gave fans a chance to own a piece of her daring journey.
Iconic Climb: Merdeka 118, Malaysia
Angela’s most talked-about climb came in 2022 when she secretly scaled Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. At 2,227 feet, it is the second tallest building in the world. Angela and her fiancé Ivan Beerkus managed to reach the top without official permission, capturing breathtaking photos and videos.
When she shared the video on Instagram, it quickly went viral, gaining more than 8.6 million views. The stunt sparked global debates. Some praised her courage and artistry, while others criticized her for risking her life and breaking the law. Malaysian authorities condemned the climb, calling it dangerous and illegal.
The Empire State Building Proposal (July 2026)
Angela’s life took a romantic turn in July 2026. Alongside Ivan Beerkus, she climbed the Empire State Building spire in New York City, one of the most famous landmarks in the world. At 1,454 feet above the ground, Ivan proposed to Angela on a small platform. She accepted, and the moment was captured in stunning photos and videos.
Additionally, the pair unfurled a banner that said, “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.” Combining love with a message of hope, the prank was bold and meaningful. But the ascent was not permitted, and soon after, Ivan and Angela were both taken into custody. They now face multiple felony charges, with a court date set for 24 August 2026.
Controversies and Legal Challenges
In 2015, she was questioned during an investigation into rooftopper Vladimir Podrezov, though she was not charged. Over the years, she has faced criticism for breaking laws and risking her life during unauthorized climbs. Authorities in several countries have condemned her actions, calling them dangerous and irresponsible.
Her latest arrest in July 2026 after the Empire State Building climb is one of the most serious legal challenges she has faced. Angela and Ivan now face multiple felony charges, and their court hearing is scheduled for 24 August 2026. This case has reignited debates about rooftopping.
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