Matriarch of Wallenda circus performing family dies at 87

Jenny Wallenda, matriarch of the internally famous family of high-flying circus performers, has died. She was 87.

Wallenda's nephew, Rick Wallenda, said his aunt died late Saturday at her home in Sarasota, Florida following a lengthy illness.

Wallenda was the oldest daughter of high wire walker Karl Wallenda and grandmother of daredevil performer Nik Wallenda.

Jenny Wallenda's husband, Richard Faughnan, died in 1962 when a human pyramid collapsed.  Karl Wallenda fell to his death in 1978.