SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. -- Former lion-tamer Tammy Wallenda, granddaughter of circus superstar Karl Wallenda, died Tuesday at the age of 53.
- Former lion-tamer Tammy Wallenda died Tuesday
- Wallenda died at the age of 53
- Celebration of life held Saturday at 6 p.m.
Once known as the Jungle Princess for her ability to command as many as 10 big cats in the ring at one time, Wallenda was well-known in the Sarasota community.
A celebration of life is scheduled Saturday for 6 p.m. at Big Cat Habitat, located at 7101 Palmer Blvd.
The Wallenda clan treated circus animals as family members -- and for 25 years, Wallenda toured the country demonstrating her skills with feline carnivores, according to her son Blake Wallenda.
Wallenda was mauled by tigers twice--once by a 650-pound Siberian tiger that resulted in a broken nose and 67 staples after seven hours of leg surgery--but she didn't let that deter her from entering the ring again.
Wallenda last performed in 2007.
According to family, Wallenda died from an apparent heart attack in the middle of the night at her Sarasota home.
"She was not only an incredible mother and incredible grandmother, but just superb person in all. Her family was her life, her animals were her life," daughter Zorayah Wallenda said.
Another celebration of life will be held at Showfolks of Sarasota once the circus touring season ends later this year.