Evel Knievel was a larger-than-life figure who captured the world’s attention with his spectacular motorcycle stunts. His fearless defiance of gravity, even with frequent crashes and injuries, solidified his place in history as a pop culture icon.
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Table of Contents
Who is Evel Knievel?
Born Robert Craig Knievel in 1938 in Butte, Montana, “Evel” Knievel was more than a stuntman. With a brash personality, he was a showman whose jumps transcended the act itself, becoming grand entertainment events.
Evel Knievel Bio
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Robert Craig Knievel |
| Born | 1938 |
| Died | 2007 |
| Occupation | Motorcycle daredevil |
| Famous for | Spectacular motorcycle stunts |
| Nickname | Evel Knievel |
| Children | Robbie, Kelly, Tracey, Alicia |
| Known for | Jumping cars, buses, and attempting to jump the Snake River Canyon |
| Most famous stunt | Attempted jump over the fountains at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas (1967) |
| Net worth (estimated) | A few million dollars |
| Cause of death | Pulmonary disease |
| Age at death | 69 |
| Number of unsuccessful jumps | Over 400 |
| Longest successful jump | Over 141 feet (14 buses) |
| Buried in | Butte, Montana |
| Guinness Book record | Most broken bones in a lifetime |
How old is Evel Knievel?
Evel Knievel died in 2007 at the age of 69.
Career
Knievel started out as a motorcycle dealer, but his true calling was in jumping. From cars and buses to the infamous Snake River Canyon, he challenged distances and dangers with his motorcycle.
Famous Stunts
Evel Knievel built his reputation on increasingly awe-inspiring and dangerous motorcycle jumps, often over multiple vehicles or obstacles. Some of his most notable stunts include:
- Caesars Palace (1967): Attempted to jump the fountains at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The jump failed, resulting in a horrific crash and multiple injuries for Knievel. This accident, however, only boosted his public profile.
- Wembley Stadium (1975): Jumped over 13 buses in London; he broke his pelvis on landing.
- Snake River Canyon (1974): Perhaps his most famous (and infamous) attempt was to jump the Snake River Canyon in Idaho on a custom-built rocket-powered cycle. The jump failed due to the parachute deploying prematurely, but he survived the fall.
Records
While Knievel was famed for his showmanship and daring, he didn’t necessarily hold the official records for the longest motorcycle jumps. However, he’s credited with the following:
- Jumped a record 19 cars in 1971. This was later broken, but he still holds several records for the number of objects jumped on a motorcycle.
- Knievel claims to have broken over 40 bones in his lifetime throughout his career.
Impact and Legacy
Evel Knievel wasn’t just a daredevil; he was a pop culture icon. His image was everywhere in the 1970s: toys, lunchboxes, a movie starring George Hamilton, and even a comic book series.
Key to his fame was the fact that he wasn’t always successful, making his daring all the more compelling. He inspired countless kids and demonstrated a relentless ‘never give up’ attitude.
Death
Knievel suffered from several health problems in his later years, including diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis. He passed away on November 30, 2007, in Clearwater, Florida, at the age of 69.
How did Evel Knievel get famous?
His most famous stunt attempt came in 1967 when he tried to jump the fountains at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The crash was brutal, yet his determination to recover and jump again turned him into a household name.
Do Evel Knievel have kids?
Yes, Evel Knievel had four children: Robbie, Kelly, Tracey, and Alicia. Robbie Knievel continued his father’s legacy as a stunt performer.
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Evel Knievel Net Worth
$3 million
What was Evel Knievel’s cause of death?
Evel Knievel died of pulmonary disease (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) in 2007. He had long suffered from health complications, including diabetes and hepatitis C.
How much was Evel Knievel worth when he died?
Precise figures on Knievel’s net worth at the time of death are disputed, with sources claiming it ranged from a few million dollars to significantly less.
How many unsuccessful jumps did Evel Knievel make?
Evel Knievel was infamous for his crashes. Throughout his career, he suffered over 400 bone fractures, making many of his jumps technically ‘unsuccessful’. Still, the spectacle of his attempts brought him notoriety.
How old was Evel Knievel on his last jump?
Knievel’s official retirement came in 1980. However, he did make a few smaller public jumps in later years. He was in his early 60s during these later performances.
Conclusion
Though his stunts were dangerous, Evel Knievel’s impact on popular culture is undeniable. He pushed boundaries, epitomized American individualism, and became a symbol of audacious ambition.
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FAQs about Evel Knievel: Biography, Stunts, Records, Death
- What was Evel Knievel’s most famous stunt? His attempted jump over Snake River Canyon in 1974 is likely his most well-known.
- Did Evel Knievel ever successfully jump the Snake River Canyon? No, the Skycycle he used was unable to clear the canyon.
- What was Evel Knievel’s longest jump? It’s believed his longest successful jump was over 141 feet in 1975 when he cleared 14 buses.
- Where is Evel Knievel buried? He was buried in his hometown of Butte, Montana.
- Is Evel Knievel in the Guinness Book of World Records? Yes, he held the record for most broken bones in a lifetime.
