Evel Knievel, born Robert Craig Knievel on October 17, 1938, in Butte, Montana, became an iconic figure in the world of daredevil motorcycle jumping.

With a career marked by breathtaking stunts, numerous injuries, and a larger-than-life persona, Knievel captivated audiences across America.

However, behind the thrilling jumps and the fame lay a tumultuous life filled with personal struggles, legal troubles, and a mysterious phone call that ultimately led to his retirement.

This article explores the rise and fall of Evel Knievel, shedding light on the man behind the legend.

 

Knievel’s childhood was marked by instability and hardship. His parents divorced when he was just two years old, leaving him and his younger brother, Nick, in the care of their grandparents.

Growing up in a mining town, Knievel was exposed to danger from an early age.

His grandfather struggled with mental health issues, and his grandmother, Emma, provided the only semblance of stability in his life until her death when he was 15.

This loss propelled Knievel into a life of rebellion, leading him to drop out of high school and pursue dangerous jobs, including working in the local copper mines.

 

At the age of 18, Knievel joined the U.S.Army, where he trained with the 101st Airborne Division and learned parachuting skills.

However, his rebellious nature persisted, resulting in a short stint in the military before he was honorably discharged.

It was during this time that he began to develop his love for motorcycles, which would later become his ticket to fame.

Knievel’s transformation into the daredevil known as “Evel” began with a fateful encounter in jail.

After a wild motorcycle chase, he was arrested and met a fellow inmate named William Kenoff, who was dubbed “Awful Knofel.

” A guard jokingly referred to Knievel as “Evel Knievel,” and the name stuck.

In the late 1950s, Knievel began performing stunts, initially in local venues, where he showcased his fearless personality and knack for attracting attention.

 

By the early 1960s, Knievel had turned to insurance fraud, staging motorcycle crashes to collect payouts.

This experience provided him with valuable insights into the world of stunts, allowing him to hone his craft.

His first significant stunt involved jumping over a crate filled with rattlesnakes and two mountain lions, which garnered attention and set the stage for his rise to fame.

 

Evel Knievel’s big break came on December 31, 1967, when he attempted to jump the fountains at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.

The jump ended in disaster, resulting in severe injuries, including shattered bones and a concussion.

However, the crash garnered immense media coverage, making Knievel a household name.

The footage of his near-fatal attempt played repeatedly on television, cementing his status as a daredevil.

In the following years, Knievel continued to push the limits of his abilities. He successfully jumped over 15 Ford Mustangs in 1968, shattering his leg upon landing but further enhancing his reputation.

Knievel’s stunts became increasingly ambitious, culminating in a jump over 14 Greyhound buses in 1975, which he successfully completed despite sustaining injuries.

 

However, Knievel’s career was not without its controversies.

His attempts to jump the Snake River Canyon in 1974 using a steam-powered rocket called the Skycycle X2 ended in failure, but the event drew significant attention and earned him millions.

Despite the setbacks, Knievel learned that failure could sometimes be more lucrative than success, as dramatic crashes often attracted larger audiences.

 

Behind the scenes, Knievel’s life was plagued by personal demons. His marriage to Linda Joan Bourke, which began in 1959, was tumultuous and marked by chaos.

Knievel’s violent tendencies surfaced in his personal life, leading to a history of domestic abuse.

He faced numerous legal troubles, including arrests for assault and threats against those who crossed him.

 

In 1977, Knievel’s violence reached a boiling point when he attacked Shelley Saltman, a promoter who had published a tell-all book about him, revealing his struggles with addiction and violent behavior.

The brutal attack led to Saltman sustaining severe injuries and resulted in Knievel facing legal repercussions.

This incident marked a turning point in Knievel’s career, leading to the loss of lucrative deals and partnerships, including those with Harley-Davidson and Ideal Toys.

 

In 1980, Knievel announced his retirement from motorcycle jumping, citing the toll his body had taken from countless crashes—he had broken 433 bones throughout his career.

However, the real reason for his retirement was a mysterious phone call that left him shaken.

The details of this call remain largely undisclosed, but it reportedly involved threats that terrified even the fearless Knievel.

This conversation marked the end of an era for the daredevil, who had captivated audiences for over a decade.

 

Following his retirement, Knievel’s life continued to spiral. He struggled with addiction to prescription painkillers and alcohol, a consequence of the numerous injuries he sustained over the years.

His health deteriorated, and he faced several medical issues, including hepatitis C, which he contracted from blood transfusions after his many accidents.

In 1999, Knievel received a liver transplant, which extended his life but did little to alleviate the turmoil surrounding him.

 

In his later years, Knievel attempted to reconnect with his son, Robbie, who had begun carving out his own path in the world of stunts.