Evel Knievel: Biography, Stunts, Net Worth, and Final Words

Most people know Evel Knievel as the man who tried to jump the Snake River Canyon in a rocket, but the story of the daredevil who claimed 433 broken bones is more about myth-making than motorcycle stunts. Here’s what the records show about his fame, his fortune, and his final years.

Born: Robert Craig Knievel, October 17, 1938 ·
Died: November 30, 2007 ·
Total broken bones claimed: 433 ·
Biggest stunt: Snake River Canyon jump (1974) ·
Net worth at death: 500,000 USD

Six key biographical details show the arc of a life built on risk and spectacle.

Why was Evel Knievel so famous?

The role of bravado and promotion

Evel Knievel didn’t just perform stunts — he sold them. According to his official site (biography page), he “made his leap from rural county fairs to sold-out stadiums through bravado, determination, and promotional genius.” His first recorded jump came in 1966 over two pickup trucks at the National Date Festival in Indio, California, as noted on the official site (biography page). Before that, he had co-owned a motorcycle shop and used stunts to draw crowds.

Iconic stunts

Britannica (encyclopedia) calls the Caesars Palace fountain jump in 1968 perhaps his most famous stunt. He fractured his skull on landing and was comatose for a month. Hot Bike Magazine (motorcycle enthusiast magazine) adds that the crash left him with a fractured skull and broken pelvis, hips, and ribs.

Media and merchandising

Knievel’s Snake River Canyon attempt in 1974 was one of the four most-watched ABC Wide World of Sports events in history, taking the number 1 spot, per his official site (official site). The media exposure fueled a merchandise empire of toys, action figures, and lunchboxes. He also appeared in TV shows like The Bionic Woman and the film Viva Knievel!, according to IMDb (movie database).

The implication: his legacy balances on the line between courage and showmanship.

What were Evel Knievel’s last words?

Reported final words

According to an interview summary published by Strange Famous Records (independent label), Knievel’s wife reported his last words as: “I’m not afraid to die.”

“I’m not afraid to die.”

— Evel Knievel, as reported by his wife

Circumstances of his death

Knievel died on November 30, 2007, in Clearwater, Florida, at age 69. Britannica (encyclopedia) lists the cause as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive lung disease. Hot Bike Magazine (motorcycle enthusiast magazine) notes he had fought persistent pain from broken bones and severe trauma for over 40 years.

The pattern: his final exit lacked the drama he built his career on.

What was Evel Knievel’s biggest stunt?

Snake River Canyon jump

The 1974 attempt to jump Idaho’s Snake River Canyon involved a rocket-powered motorcycle called the Sky-Cycle, as described by Britannica (encyclopedia). The parachute deployed early and the craft crashed into the canyon floor, but Knievel survived with injuries. The event drew national attention.

Other notable jumps

Beyond the canyon, the 1968 Caesars Palace fountain jump was his most famous crash. Britannica (encyclopedia) says he fractured his skull and remained comatose for a month. In 1975, he successfully jumped 14 Greyhound buses at King’s Island, Ohio — a clean landing after 200 feet of air.

“I made $60 million in my lifetime, spent $61 million.”

— Evel Knievel, quoted on IMDb (movie database)

What this means: the most memorable moment was the one that almost ended him.

How much was Evel Knievel worth when he died?

Net worth at death

Multiple biographical sources estimate Knievel’s net worth at the time of his death at approximately $500,000. This figure comes from Coastline Brief (business analysis), which contrasts his peak earnings with his later financial struggles.

Financial ups and downs

In one of his last interviews, he told Strange Famous Records (independent label) he had made $10 million in the past few years. Yet IMDb (movie database) quotes him saying, “I made $60 million in my lifetime, spent $61 million.” Lawsuits, bad investments, and a lavish lifestyle drained much of his wealth.

The catch: his greatest wealth was the story, not the bank balance.

How many bones did Evel Knievel actually break?

The 433 claim

Knievel claimed to have broken 433 bones over his career, a figure recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records, according to his official site (official site). However, the same site also mentions a record of 35 broken bones and says he broke bones “37 times throughout his life.” Evel.com (biography page) repeats the 37-times statistic.

Verification and dispute

Medical professionals have questioned the 433 number. No comprehensive medical records have been made public to confirm it. Britannica (encyclopedia) cautiously notes that he “claimed to have broken nearly every bone in his body.” Hot Bike Magazine (motorcycle enthusiast magazine) reports he suffered a compound fracture of the left hip, a broken right wrist, and a left ankle fracture among his worst injuries.

The implication: the bone count remains one of Knievel’s unverified claims.

Timeline

The pattern: each milestone reinforced his image as a man who defied odds.

What we know and what remains unclear

Summary: The man behind the jumps

Evel Knievel built a career on the line between courage and recklessness. He dazzled millions, survived crashes that would have killed most people, and died in a hospital bed, not on the ramp. For the daredevils who came after — including his son Robbie — the lesson is that the spectacle may outlast the truth. For the audience, the choice is clear: believe the 433 broken bones, or demand the X-rays.

Frequently asked questions

The takeaway: the FAQ answers confirm that myth and fact remain intertwined.