Wife's Candid Reflections on Honnold's Death-Defying Taipei 101 Ascent
While millions watched with bated breath, Sanni McCandless experienced a surprising emotional response as her husband, legendary free climber Alex Honnold, scaled one of the world's tallest skyscrapers without any safety ropes over the weekend.
The Unconventional Emotional Journey
McCandless, 33, who married Honnold in 2020 and shares two young children with him, revealed during a press conference that her predominant feeling wasn't anxiety but rather "joyful" anticipation. "I knew the second he left the ground, it would all just, not fade away, but kind of get quieter, be more of an internal experience, and then just be joyful," she explained.
This contrasted sharply with what many might expect from a spouse watching their partner undertake such a dangerous feat. "I was telling someone that when you really love someone, and you think that they might be stressed, you say, 'I wish I could take their place, I wish I could take their stress away,'" McCandless shared. "But in this case, she could sum up her feelings in five words: 'Thank God I'm not him!'"
The Historic Climb and Its Context
Honnold, 40, completed his ascent of Taiwan's 1,667-foot Taipei 101—the world's eleventh-tallest skyscraper—in one hour, 31 minutes and 43 seconds on Saturday evening. The climb was filmed for Netflix with a ten-second broadcast delay as a safety precaution, allowing producers to cut the feed if necessary.
The renowned climber, who first achieved global recognition in 2017 by becoming the first person to free solo El Capitan in Yosemite National Park (a feat documented in the Oscar-winning film Free Solo), has faced criticism from some quarters regarding the potential impact of his dangerous pursuits on his family.
A Partnership Built on Mutual Support
McCandless addressed these concerns directly, explaining that their relationship thrives on open communication about his climbing decisions. "Everybody kind of speaks their mind, you say your piece, and then you kind of see what decision is made," she said. "You try to make decisions as a team, but you also have to respect the art behind it and the passion behind it."
Regarding the Taipei 101 project specifically, McCandless noted: "This project came together in a very cool way, and once Alex made that decision, I remember not being in resistance to it, but just kind of not having it in my mind. And then two months ago, being like, 'Oh, this is coming up, this is happening.'"
Behind the Scenes of the Netflix Special
Honnold disclosed that while he would have undertaken the climb without compensation, Netflix paid him what he described as "an embarrassing amount" of money for the special. Although he didn't reveal the exact figure, sources familiar with the deal indicated payment in the mid-six-figure range.
McCandless emphasized the reciprocal nature of their support system: "So, I felt that in my heart, of we're like in, full support mode, whatever happens happens. I'm just here for you. I'm here to problem-solve, support, be optimistic, be positive, make sure everything's in line. And Alex does that for me in my projects and in my life and my work. That's what makes us a good team, I think."
Her reflections offer a unique window into the dynamics of a partnership where one partner regularly faces extreme physical danger, revealing unexpected emotional dimensions that challenge conventional assumptions about such relationships.
