American professional climber Alex Honnold delivered one of the most breathtaking moments in modern extreme sports when he scaled Taipei 101, one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world, without using any safety equipment. The Alex Honnold climb was broadcast live on Netflix, drawing global attention—not only for the danger involved, but also for questions surrounding how much the climber was paid for such a high-risk feat.
A Death-Defying Climb on One of the World’s Tallest Towers
On January 25, 2026, Alex Honnold successfully climbed the 508-metre (1,667-foot) Taipei 101 tower, which consists of 101 floors divided into eight segments. The climb took approximately 90 minutes from start to finish.
Honnold relied on small L-shaped outcroppings on one corner of the building as footholds, using balconies along the way to rest mid-climb. With only his bare hands and a chalk bag to maintain grip, he reached the top and waved to spectators below, smiling calmly after completing the climb.
Originally scheduled for Saturday, the event was postponed due to rain. When it finally took place, it was streamed live on Netflix with a 10-second delay, allowing viewers worldwide to witness the entire ascent in real time.
While Honnold is not the first climber to ascend Taipei 101, he became the first person to free solo the structure without a rope, making the achievement unprecedented.
Alex Honnold’s Climbing Journey and Global Recognition
Now 40 years old, Alex Honnold began climbing at a very young age and rose to prominence in his early twenties. He gained massive recognition in 2017 when he became the first person to free climb El Capitan at Yosemite National Park, a milestone that reshaped modern rock climbing.
Since then, the Alex Honnold climb narrative has continued to evolve, with record-setting ascents and increasingly ambitious challenges—culminating in the daring Taipei 101 free solo.
How Much Did Netflix Pay Alex Honnold?
Despite widespread speculation about a massive payday, Honnold himself downplayed expectations. In an interview published on January 23, he described his Netflix compensation as “embarrassingly small” when compared to earnings in mainstream sports.
“Actually, if you put it in the context of mainstream sports, it’s an embarrassingly small amount,” Honnold said. “You know, Major League Baseball players get like $170 million contracts. Like, someone you haven’t even heard of and that nobody cares about.”
While he did not reveal an exact figure, reports stated that Honnold earned mid-six figures from Netflix for the Taipei 101 climb.
How Alex Honnold’s Earnings Compare to Other Athletes
When placed alongside other professional athletes, Honnold’s earnings appear modest. For comparison:
- Boxer Jake Paul reportedly earned $93 million for a fight against Anthony Joshua and around $40 million for a bout against Mike Tyson.
- Wimbledon’s 2025 prize pool exceeded $72 million.
- Top Formula One drivers, including Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, earn over $75 million.
Against these figures, the compensation for the Alex Honnold climb highlights the financial gap between extreme sports and mainstream athletic entertainment.
Was the Risk Worth the Reward?
The Taipei 101 ascent reinforced Alex Honnold’s reputation as one of the most fearless climbers in history. While the physical and mental risks were extraordinary, the financial reward remained relatively limited by professional sports standards.
Still, the climb added another historic chapter to Honnold’s career—one defined less by money and more by pushing the boundaries of what humans can achieve without fear, ropes, or safety nets.
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