Alex Honnold has been making headlines for his plans to climb the Taipei Skyscraper live on Netflix. As the climber prepares for the big task, let's take a look at his wife, his biggest supporter.
Alex Honnold is one of the best-known American rock climbers, especially for his free solo ascents of big balls. The climber rose to fame in June 2017, after he became the first person to free solo a full route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. The 2,900-foot route even earned a place in The New York Times as "one of the great athletic feats of any kind, ever". Alex has also co-authored a memoir, Alone on the Wall, with David Roberts in 2015.
Now, Alex Honnold is once again leading the headlines as he will attempt to scale one of the tallest buildings in the world. The experienced pro climber will aim to climb the skyscraper on January 23, 2026 (Friday). Talking about the same, Alex shared that he will celebrate with his wife, Sanni McCandless Honnold, after the climb. So, as we wait for the pro climber to ace another adventure, let us take a look at the woman who has always supported him from the ground.
Alex Honnold is a free solo climber, which means his expedition to Taipei will be both record-breaking and terrifying. Additionally, his free solo of Taipei 101 is also his first time scaling a man-made structure. What makes it even more special is that people across the world will be able to see him climb the structure during a two-hour global event, which will be streamed live on Netflix. For the unversed, free soloing involves climbing without ropes or other protective equipment, which makes it as dangerous as it is thrilling.
The building in Taipei, Taiwan, stands tall at 1,667 feet and has 101 floors. Skyscraper Live will stream live globally on Netflix at 8 p.m. (ET). The event is a real-time broadcast, and Netflix recommends that viewers join on time to "experience the full climb as it unfolds." Talking about the adventure, Alex Honnold told Tudum by Netflix that he was very excited, as while most skyscrapers aren't suited for climbing, this one fits the requirements. He was quoted as saying:
"It's amazing, and it's an incredible building. It's possible, which a lot of skyscrapers aren't—it's uniquely suited for climbing."
Alex Honnold and his wife, Sanni McCandless Honnold, first became famous beyond the climbing community with the 2018 Oscar-winning documentary, Free Solo. The film followed Alex's ropeless ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. The film was based on his 2015 book, Alone on the Wall. The film became a life-changer for Alex, as it not only brought him fame but also introduced him to his now-wife, Sanni. Yes! According to the Climbing Zine, the duo met during the book tour and signing in 2015.
Alex Honnold and Sanni McCandless Honnold instantly clicked and stayed in touch. The couple soon started dating and, after almost five years since their first meeting, tied the knot in 2020. While not much is known about the couple's dating history, Sanni has been extremely supportive of Alex over the years. Their close bond was once again evident during Alex's conversation with Tadum by Netflix, ahead of his Taipei 101 climb. He told the outlet:
"I'll take the elevator down, I'll see my wife, we'll be psyched. We'll eat at the buffet that night—it's a really nice buffet—it'll be great, and that will be the day. Then I'll go home, and I'll go back to my climbing practice."
According to reports, Sanni McCandless Honnold is a climber herself, which explains their understanding of Alex's passion and their unwavering support throughout every hike. Additionally, she is also a life coach and cofounder of Outwild. According to their Instagram account and organisation's website, Outwild is a "community and event series for people who want to create outdoor, value-driven lifestyles." Sanni often shares her love for climbing on social media. She shared a picture of her climbing on Instagram in May 2025, and penned:
"Despite a serious lack of evidence, I have been making it out climbing a bit!!"
Alex Honnold and Sanni McCandless Honnold are not just pro-climbers but also very doting parents. They have beautifully balanced their professional and home lives. Talking about their family, the couple have two beautiful daughters. They welcomed their first child, named June, in 2022. The couple was blessed with their second angel, Alice, in 2024.
In a detailed conversation with Tudum, Alex Honnold shared that he has always been curious about what it would feel like to climb a building this big. He shared that he has climbed tons of huge walls in the world, but never "something man-made like that." He revealed that he expects most viewers to be "on edge" and "uncomfortable" watching him climb such a massive structure. However, he also hopes they feel some joy from the experience. He added:
"I think the thing that's most uncertain to me is the psychological state—how's it going to feel? I'm sure I'll feel a little nervous at the bottom, just because it's something totally new and I don't know how it's going to feel. I've spent 30 years climbing rock faces; this will be my first big handmade structure, so I'm sure it'll feel a little different. It's not just extreme sports—it's more."
What are your thoughts on Alex Honnold and his relationship with his wife, Sanni McCandless Honnold? Let us know.
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