Evel Knievel, born Robert Craig Knievel Jr., was an American daredevil who transformed motorcycle stunt performance into a global spectacle. Between 1965 and the late 1970s, he attempted more than 75 ramp-to-ramp jumps and survived a career that left him with a disputed number of broken bones. His name remains synonymous with risk-taking and showmanship.
Knievel became a household name in the 1970s through televised events on ABC’s Wide World of Sports, film appearances, and a line of merchandise that included action figures. He died in 2007 at age 69 from pulmonary fibrosis, a complication of diabetes. His legacy continues through his family, the Motorcycle Hall of Fame, and a museum dedicated to his life.
This article covers his death, family, net worth, stunts, broken bones, and other frequently asked questions about the man who attempted to jump the Snake River Canyon in a rocket-powered Sky-Cycle.
What Happened to Evel Knievel? Death, Son’s Death, and Legacy
Robert Craig Knievel
October 17, 1938, Butte, Montana, USA
November 30, 2007, Clearwater, Florida, USA
75+ ramp-to-ramp motorcycle jumps, Snake River Canyon jump
- Evel Knievel survived over 75 public ramp-to-ramp jumps but suffered countless injuries, with estimates of broken bones ranging from 35 to 433.
- His son Robbie Knievel followed in his footsteps as a stuntman and died in 2023 at age 60.
- Evel Knievel’s net worth at death was estimated at around $1 million, though he earned millions during his career.
- The Snake River Canyon jump in 1974 was one of his most famous failures, but it cemented his legacy as a daredevil.
- Evel Knievel’s real name is Robert Craig Knievel; his stage name originated from a childhood incident involving a jail stay and a spelling change.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Robert Craig Knievel |
| Born | October 17, 1938, Butte, Montana, USA |
| Died | November 30, 2007, Clearwater, Florida, USA |
| Cause of Death | Pulmonary fibrosis and diabetes complications |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse | Linda Joan Bork (m. 1959; div. 1992), Krystal Kennedy (m. 1999; his death) |
| Children | 4: Kelly, Robyn, Robbie, and Tracy |
| Known For | Motorcycle stunt jumps, Snake River Canyon jump, 75+ ramp-to-ramp jumps |
| Number of Broken Bones | Disputed: 35 to 433 |
| Net Worth at Death | Est. $1 million |
| Hall of Fame | Inducted into Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999 |
When Did Evel Knievel Die?
Evel Knievel died on November 30, 2007, in Clearwater, Florida, at the age of 69. The cause of death was pulmonary fibrosis, a scarring of the lungs, which was brought on by diabetes. He had been in declining health for several years prior.
Did Evel Knievel’s Son Die?
Yes, his son Robbie Knievel, also a stunt performer, died in 2023 at age 60. Robbie had followed his father’s path and performed numerous jumps, including recreations of some of Evel’s most famous stunts. His death was a significant loss to the daredevil community.
Where Is Evel Knievel Buried?
Evel Knievel is buried at Mountain View Cemetery in Butte, Montana. His grave has become a popular site for fans who visit to pay their respects. Butte, his birthplace, has embraced his legacy with memorials and annual events.
What Was Evel Knievel’s Net Worth?
Specific, verified figures for his net worth at death are not explicitly detailed in available records. He was a highly paid international celebrity in the 1970s, earning millions from television specials, film roles in Viva Knievel!, and merchandise. Most estimates place his net worth at death around $1 million, though some sources suggest higher figures. The exact amount remains unclear.
Evel Knievel’s Family: Children, Sons, and Legacy
How Many Children Did Evel Knievel Have?
Evel Knievel had four children: Kelly, Robyn, Robbie, and Tracy. He was married twice — first to Linda Joan Bork from 1959 to 1997, with whom he had three children, and then to Krystal Kennedy-Knievel from 1999 to 2001. His family has been central to preserving his legacy, with several members involved in stunt performance and entertainment.
Robbie Knievel, who died in 2023, was the most visible of Evel’s children in the stunt world. He performed over 350 jumps during his career, including a successful recreation of his father’s 1975 jump over 14 Greyhound buses at Kings Island. Robbie’s death marked the end of an era for the Knievel family’s direct involvement in high-profile stunt work.
Who Was Evel Knievel Jr.?
Evel Knievel III, often called “Evel Jr.,” is a stunt performer who has followed his father’s legacy. He is one of Evel’s grandsons and has performed jumps and public appearances to keep the Knievel name alive in the daredevil world. His work includes recreations of his grandfather’s iconic stunts.
What Happened to Evel Knievel’s Son?
Robbie Knievel, Evel’s son, died in 2023 at age 60. He had a long career as a stuntman, performing jumps that included recreations of his father’s most famous feats. His death was reported widely, and he is remembered as a dedicated performer who carried on the family tradition.
Evel Knievel’s Stunts and Injuries: Broken Bones and Iconic Jumps
How Many Bones Did Evel Knievel Break?
The exact number of broken bones Evel Knievel suffered is disputed. He himself claimed 433 fractures, a figure that earned him a Guinness World Record for the “most bones broken in a lifetime.” However, medical records and other sources suggest a lower number, with some citing 35 to 40 major fractures. The true count is uncertain and likely exaggerated in popular lore.
The wide range in reported broken bones — from 35 to 433 — reflects the difficulty of tracking every injury over a decades-long career. Many of Knievel’s jumps resulted in multiple fractures, and some injuries may have been counted multiple times or exaggerated for publicity. The Guinness record of 433 fractures is the most commonly cited figure, but it is not universally accepted.
What Was Evel Knievel’s Famous 1975 Jump?
On October 25, 1975, Evel Knievel successfully jumped 14 Greyhound buses at Kings Island amusement park near Cincinnati, Ohio. The jump covered 133 feet (40.5 meters) on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, making it his longest successful jump. He landed on a safety deck above the 14th bus, and the feat set a record for the most buses jumped on a motorcycle, which stood for 24 years until Bubba Blackwell broke it in 1999. This event became ABC’s Wide World of Sports’ highest-rated show of all time.
Was There an Evel Knievel Toy?
Yes, Ideal Toys produced an Evel Knievel action figure and stunt cycle set in the 1970s. The toy included a wind-up jumping motorcycle and was wildly popular among children. It has since become a collector’s item, reflecting the cultural impact of Knievel’s daredevil persona during that decade.
Evel Knievel Trivia: Pronunciation and Quick Facts
How Do You Pronounce Evel Knievel?
The common English pronunciation is “EE-vuhl nee-VEL,” rhyming with “evil” and “reveal.” The phonetic transcription is /kˈniːvəl/ (KNEE-vul). The original German pronunciation of the family name would be closer to “knee-fel,” but the anglicized version is widely used in American media.
Many people mistakenly pronounce the last name as “kuh-nee-vel” or “knee-vel-uh.” The correct pronunciation, as used by Knievel himself and in official media, is “nee-VEL” with a silent ‘K’ and the emphasis on the second syllable. The family name is of German origin, where the ‘K’ is pronounced, but Knievel adopted the anglicized version for his public persona.
What Are the Basic Facts About Evel Knievel?
Evel Knievel was born Robert Craig Knievel Jr. on October 17, 1938, in Butte, Montana. He began his public stunt career in 1965, performing jumps over vehicles and animals. He was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999. Over his career, he attempted more than 75 ramp-to-ramp jumps and completed over 300 jumps total. His most famous stunts include the 1967 Caesars Palace fountain jump, the 1974 Snake River Canyon attempt, the 1975 Wembley Stadium bus jump, and the 1976 shark-filled tank jump in Chicago.
Key Events in Evel Knievel’s Life and Career
- 1938 — Born Robert Craig Knievel in Butte, Montana.
- 1950s — Worked as a miner, insurance salesman, and later a motorcycle stuntman.
- 1965 — First public stunt jump: 25 cars at a county fair.
- 1967 — Attempted jump over the Caesar’s Palace fountain in Las Vegas; crash resulted in severe injuries.
- 1974 — Attempted to jump the Snake River Canyon in a steam-powered rocket; failed but became iconic.
- 1975 — Famous jump at Wembley Stadium in London over 13 buses, crashing and breaking his pelvis.
- 1999 — Inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
- 2007 — Died at age 69 in Clearwater, Florida.
- 2023 — Son Robbie Knievel died at age 60.
What Is Known and What Remains Uncertain About Evel Knievel
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Evel Knievel died on November 30, 2007, from pulmonary fibrosis and diabetes. | The exact number of broken bones he suffered is disputed; reports range from 35 to 433. |
| He was born on October 17, 1938, in Butte, Montana. | His net worth at death is estimated differently by various sources, typically around $1 million but some say higher. |
| He performed over 75 ramp-to-ramp jumps. | The pronunciation of “Knievel” is sometimes anglicized as “nee-vel” or “knee-vel”; the German pronunciation is “knee-fel.” |
| His son Robbie Knievel died in 2023. | Some claim he broke every bone in his body, but this is exaggerated. There is a myth that he died during a stunt, but he actually died of natural causes. |
How Evel Knievel Shaped Daredevil Culture
Evel Knievel transformed motorcycle stunt performance into a mainstream spectacle. His bravado and risk-taking inspired generations of action sports athletes and pop culture references, including movies, music, and toys. Modern extreme sports stars like Travis Pastrana and Mat Hoffman have cited Knievel as an inspiration. The rise of X Games and action sports can be traced back to his pioneering shows.
Knievel’s legacy continues through his family, the Evel Knievel Museum in Las Vegas, and his induction into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. He remains a symbol of daredevil courage and showmanship, with a cultural impact that extends far beyond the world of motorcycle stunts.
His story is also a key part of the History of Stunt Performers, illustrating how one person’s willingness to take risks can change an entire industry. The city of Butte, Montana Travel Guide offers visitors a chance to explore his birthplace and grave site.
Sources and Notable Quotes on Evel Knievel
“I’m not a daredevil. I’m a man who knows his limits and then goes beyond them.”
— Attributed to Evel Knievel
“Evel Knievel was a true original. He was the Elvis of daredevils.”
— Motorcycle Hall of Fame induction speech
Key sources for this article include Wikipedia, Britannica, the Evel Knievel Official Site, IMDB, the Motorcycle Hall of Fame, and Biography.com.
Evel Knievel’s Enduring Legacy
Evel Knievel died in 2007, but his legacy as the world’s most famous daredevil endures. He inspired generations of stunt performers and action sports athletes, and his name remains synonymous with risk-taking and showmanship. The Evel Knievel Museum in Las Vegas continues to draw visitors, and his story is periodically revisited in documentaries and biopics. For those interested in the broader history of Famous Motorcycle Daredevils, Knievel’s career remains the benchmark against which all others are measured.
Frequently Asked Questions About Evel Knievel
How do you pronounce Evel Knievel?
The common English pronunciation is “EE-vuhl nee-VEL” (rhymes with “evil” and “reveal”). The German pronunciation (original family name) is “knee-fel.”
Where is Evel Knievel’s grave?
Evel Knievel is buried at Mountain View Cemetery in Butte, Montana, USA. His grave is a popular tourist site.
What was the Evel Knievel toy?
Ideal Toys produced an Evel Knievel action figure and stunt cycle set in the 1970s, including a wind-up jumping motorcycle. It is a collector’s item.
What is Evel Knievel’s real name?
His real name is Robert Craig Knievel. He adopted the stage name “Evel” after a childhood incident involving jail and a spelling change.
How many broken bones did Evel Knievel have?
The exact number is disputed. He himself claimed 433, but medical records suggest 35-40 major fractures. The true number is uncertain.
Did Evel Knievel die during a stunt?
No, he died of natural causes — pulmonary fibrosis due to diabetes — on November 30, 2007, in Clearwater, Florida.
How many children did Evel Knievel have?
He had four children: Kelly, Robyn, Robbie, and Tracy. Robbie followed his father’s footsteps as a stunt performer.
What was Evel Knievel’s most famous jump?
His most famous jump was the 1974 Snake River Canyon attempt in a rocket-powered Sky-Cycle, which failed but became iconic. His longest successful jump was 14 Greyhound buses in 1975.
What is the Evel Knievel Museum?
The Evel Knievel Museum is located in Las Vegas, Nevada, and features exhibits on his life, stunts, and legacy, including original motorcycles and memorabilia.
Was Evel Knievel in the Hall of Fame?
Yes, he was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999, recognizing his contributions to motorcycle culture and stunt performance.
Sophie Kendall is Culture & Communities Editor at RegionalReport.co.uk, covering community stories, arts, culture, festivals, local events and heritage.