Evel Knievel was one of the most iconic daredevil performers of the 20th century. He was famous for his audacious motorcycle jumps and death-defying stunts, with a career dotted with breaking world records and hair-raising crashes that solidified his legendary status – jumping over the fountains of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas was one of his most audacious stunts, as was attempting to jump over the Snake River Canyon on a steam-powered rocket. His boldness and showmanship were impossible not to notice in popular culture, inspiring not only stunt performers but also people with a personality for great global exploits.
Contents
Early life & education
Born Robert Craig Knievel on 17 October 1938, in Butte, Montana USA, Evel grew up in a rough, turbulent mining town that helped shape his fearless and adventurous personality. His parents were Robert E. and Ann Marie Knievel; the boy’s father left them when his son was very young, so Evel and his brother Nic were raised largely by their grandparents.
Knievel exhibited a penchant for thrill-seeking activities from an early age, often engaging in risky escapades around town. The rough-and-tumble Butte environment, including his participation in sports such as hockey and skiing, affected him as a teenager to a significant extent. He attended Butte High School briefly before dropping out at just 16 years of age, after which he worked a series of odd jobs, including as a miner and motorcycle shop assistant, which helped develop his career-relevant interest. He also had a series of encounters with the law throughout childhood, due to thievery and motor violation, which earned him the infamous name ‘Evel’ after he spent a night in a cell with a certain criminal nicknamed ‘Awful Knofel’.
Career
Evel began his professional daredevil career in the early 1960s, putting together the professional troupe called Evel Knievel and His Motorcycle Daredevils, with the purpose of riding at local fairs and events. Some of his early stunts consisted of jumping over parked cars and trucks, but the risk involved with his performances steadily evolved from there on. His first major success was on New Year’s Eve in 1967, when he attempted to jump over the fountains at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The stunt was televised live to millions of people around the country, and though he did not clear the fountains and sustained significant injuries, it launched his career as an icon overnight. The resulting splash left him with several fractures, but his choice to keep performing afterwards made the public love him all the more.
Throughout the late ‘60s and in the ‘70s, Knievel performed several very high-profile jumps, such as over 50 stacked cars at the Los Angeles Coliseum, or the 13 Mack trucks at the Houston Astrodome. Most of his escapades were aired live on television, attracting massive audiences and further cementing his status as an immortal icon. One of Knievel’s most ambitious and controversial stunts was his attempted jump over the Snake River Canyon in Idaho in 1974. Riding a custom-made, steam-powered rocket called “Skycycle X-2,” Knievel looked to soar across the mile-wide (1.6kms) canyon. The jump was unsuccessful – despite extensive preparations and media hype, his parachute deployed prematurely, causing the legend to land in the river below. Although ultimately a failure, the stunt solidified him even more as a daredevil superstar – reckless but ready to risk everything for the sake of creating a proper spectacle.
In addition to live performances, Knievel capitalized on his fame by involving himself in various media ventures. He appeared in numerous motion pictures, including “Evel Knievel” in 1971 and “Viva Knievel!” in 1977, and was a featured guest star in multiple television shows. He starred as the basis for a line of popular Evel Knievel toys, which were particularly popular among children, cementing him as one of the most iconic figures in American popular culture.
His career wasn’t all roses, though, as he broke numerous bones in his body, suffered multiple concussions, and had several surgical operations. Eventually, his untamable nature and dedication to performance began to waver due to age, and he retired at 42 in 1980.
His greatest legacy
Still, amongst all of Knievel’s hundreds of stunts, one of his best and most successful remains that of jumping 14 Greyhound buses at Kings Island in 1975. The jump aired on ABC’s “Wide World of Sports,” and caught an estimated 52% of the television audience. Going a total of 133 feet (40ms), the success of the jump became a moment of unending triumph for the ambitious daredevil.
Personal life
His private matters were no less dramatic than that displayed on the TV screen. He married Linda Bork in 1959, and they produced four children: Kelly, Robbie, Tracey, and Alicia. The proud mother became one of his most faithful on-screen companions, often attending his performances, and then following him to the hospital. That said, their marriage had been strained more than once, not least due to Knievel’s way of living and numerous affairs, which brought them to a divorce in 1997. His son Robbie also turned to daredevil work in his own time, with a similar degree of success, duplicating most of the stunts by which his father made his name, including leaping over the Caesars Palace fountains and the Grand Canyon.
Eval was also sued numerous times due to his stunts and business dealings, and in 1977 he was found guilty of beating his former promoter, earning six months in county jail with three years’ probation. Shelly Saltman wrote “Evel Knievel on Tour”, which alleged that the superstar abused his wife and children, and frequently consumed various drugs. Knievel refused to abide by the slander, and made his way to California, assaulting Saltman with an aluminum baseball bat, in what was seemingly an attempt at taking his life. The stuntman’s friend prevented Shelly from moving, but he managed to survive the ordeal by holding his left arm in front of his head. The numerous injuries he sustained later required multiple surgeries, with metal plates being installed in various places along his arm.
In later years Knievel suffered from a variety of health problems, including diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis. He had a liver transplant in 1999, which kept him alive but in very frail health, until he passed away on 30 November 2007, aged 69, leaving behind a legacy of daring and showmanship that continues to inspire and produce new legends of the craft.
Monthly Earnings and Net Worth
Some of the most reputable sources have suggested Evel Knievel’s net worth reached as high as $3 million. During the 1970s, when he was at the peak of his popularity, he made massive earnings through his performances, advertisements, and sale of toys. His exhibitions would usually bring in great sums as well, which came not only from the crowds but also from the heavy television revenues.
The toy line for Evel Knievel alone resulted in jaw-dropping amounts, reaching as high as $125 million. However, Eval often had money problems despite the income, especially later in his career, owing to legal issues, medical bills, and other excessive spending habits. The toys are still on sale to this day, but it remains to be confirmed who actually profits from this endeavor.
