Professional climber Alex Honnold recently scaled the Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taiwan. The 1,667-foot building features a unique design with eight difficult overhangs. Honnold completed the climb live on Netflix in just over 90 minutes. Remarkably, he performed this feat without any safety ropes or life insurance.
Despite the extreme risk, Honnold suggests his payday was modest compared to other professional athletes. While sources estimate his fee in the mid-six figures, he noted it is far less than a typical major league baseball contract. He joked that the amount was almost “embarrassing” when compared to mainstream sports stars.
For Honnold, the challenge was never about the money. He stated he would have climbed the building for free just for the experience. He described the feeling of sitting alone atop the spire as “insane.” He views his fee as payment for the television spectacle rather than the climb itself.
Honnold also famously skipped getting life insurance for the event. He called the insurance industry a “scam” and noted that policies for such a high-risk stunt were far too expensive. He believes insurance companies often profit while the customers take the financial loss.
Ultimately, the climb was about testing personal limits on a global stage. Honnold proved that his passion for adventure outweighs his interest in a big paycheck. His successful ascent remains a historic moment in urban climbing.