What is Evel Knievel’s Net Worth?
Evel Knievel, the American daredevil motorcyclist, painter, and entertainer had a net worth of $3 million at the time of his death in 2007.
Knievel was known for his ambitious and risk-taking motorcycle jumps, completing over 75 ramp-to-ramp jumps over his career.
He was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999.
Knievel passed away at the age of 69.
Evel Knievel Early Life and Career
Evel Knievel was born in Montana in 1938 and raised by his paternal grandparents after his parents’ divorce. He attended Butte High School briefly before working as a diamond drill operator for a mining company. Knievel was a thrill-seeker from a young age, competing in ski jumping events and rodeos and joining the US Army in his late teens. He also started a hunting service and hitchhiked to Washington, DC to raise awareness about elk culling. Knievel later joined the motocross circuit and sold insurance for a living.
Evel Knievel’s Early Career
Evel Knievel quit his job at an insurance company after being denied a promotion and opened a Honda motorcycle dealership in Moses Lake, Washington. He later worked at a motorcycle shop in Sunnyside, where he learned how to do a wheelie while standing on the seat of his bike. Inspired by a Joie Chitwood daredevil auto show he had seen as a youth, Knievel set up his own stunt show with his motorcycle, jumping over a box of rattlesnakes and mountain lions. He partnered with sponsor Bob Blair and debuted with his team of daredevils in Indio, California. Knievel went on to perform shows in various towns as a solo act, jumping cars in addition to motorcycles. He suffered major injuries after a jump attempt in Missoula, Montana, but continued to perform and achieved national exposure on “The Joey Bishop Show” in 1968.
Knievel’s Career Highlights
In 1967, Knievel attempted to clear 141 feet over the fountains at Caesars Palace, which resulted in a crash and weeks of hospitalization. However, the televised footage of the jump made him more famous than ever. He subsequently attempted to jump 15 Ford Mustangs in Scottsdale, Arizona, but crashed again. From August to October of 1968, Knievel was landing successful jumps almost every week. He set a world record by jumping over 19 cars in Ontario, California in 1971.
Although Knievel had planned to jump the Grand Canyon, he focused on jumping Idaho’s Snake River Canyon, which he attempted in 1974. The next year, he did more motorcycle jumps on ABC’s “Wide World of Sports,” including attempts at London’s Wembley Stadium, King Island in Ohio, and the Seattle Kingdome. After an aborted jump over a tank of live sharks in Chicago in 1977, Knievel retired from major performances.
Evel Knievel’s Post-Stunt Career
Following his last stunt show in 1980, Knievel made appearances at smaller venues to help foster the career of his son, Robbie. He served as Robbie’s touring companion for a while, making his last on-tour appearance in Hollywood, Florida in 1981.
For the remainder of the decade, Knievel drove across the country selling works of art he allegedly created. In the 90s, he helped market brands including Harley-Davidson, Little Caesars, and Maxim Casino.
In 2003, Knievel signed over rights to composer Jef Bek to make a rock opera based on his life. In 2005, Knievel promoted his last “ride” at the Harley-Davidson dealership in Milwaukee, to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina. Due to suffering a mild stroke, he never actually rode.
Evel Knievel’s Personal Life and Health Issues
Evel Knievel married Linda Joan Bork in 1959 and they had four children together. They separated in the early 90s before officially divorcing in 1997. Two years later, Knievel married Krystal Kennedy, but they divorced in 2001.
In the late 90s, Knievel underwent a life-saving liver transplant due to Hepatitis C. However, in 2005, he was diagnosed with a terminal lung disease that required him to use supplemental oxygen 24/7. That same year, he also suffered from two minor strokes.
On November 30, 2007, Evel Knievel passed away at his home in Clearwater, Florida.
