Evel Knievel Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Evel Knievel is the legendary American daredevil motorcycle stuntman celebrated worldwide for his death-defying jumps over buses, cars, and even the Snake River Canyon.

Evel Knievel (born Robert Craig Knievel Jr., October 17, 1938) became a household name thanks to his fearless motorcycle stunts and showmanship. By the time of his death, his estimated net worth stood around US$ 3 million. His relationships — including a long marriage and a second, shorter union — and his dramatic personal life added as much intrigue as his public stunts.

Quick Facts

From Small-Town Beginnings to Daredevil Fame

He was born Robert Craig Knievel Jr. in Butte, Montana, a rugged mining town.  Growing up raised by his grandparents after his parents divorced, young Robert faced a challenging environment. His childhood offered glimpses of rebellion — stories mention youthful trouble with police over petty thefts — but also early signs of fearlessness.

Physical prowess became his outlet. He excelled in sports — ski jumping, hockey, ice skating — and even won a regional ski-jumping championship in 1959. He also served briefly in the U.S. Army, where he pursued athletics such as pole vaulting.

But the mines and the ordinary life in Butte weren’t for him. The early 1960s saw him grow restless; he wanted spectacular, he wanted attention. That restlessness drove him to trade mine shafts for ramps and dirt for roaring engines.

Defining moments in Evel Knievel’s journey include:

• His transition from everyday jobs and athletic pursuits to daredevil stunts — choosing risk over security.

• The first nationally televised stunt where he jumped 15 cars on a motorcycle, announcing his arrival to mainstream America. 

• The iconic attempt to jump the Snake River Canyon — though unsuccessful — which cemented his legend as a fearless risk-taker.

• Building a strong brand: beyond the jumps, he sold toys and merchandise that made him beloved by younger fans across America.

Through these moments, he reinvented what it meant to be a stunt performer — blending showmanship, fearlessness, and a larger-than-life persona.

The Core Pillars of Evel Knievel’s Wealth

The core pillars of his wealth included:

Despite enormous public popularity, these streams only translated into moderate financial stability — not vast wealth — by his lifetime’s end.

Evel Knievel Relationships & Personal Life

Evel Knievel’s personal life was complex and at times turbulent.

He was first married to Linda Joan Bork in 1959. The union produced four children — two sons and two daughters. That marriage lasted nearly four decades before they divorced in 1997.

In 1999 he married Krystal Kennedy-Knievel, though their relationship was short-lived: they divorced after about two years. Reports suggest that despite the divorce, they later reconciled living-together arrangements before his death. 

Key insights into Evel Knievel’s relationships and personal life:

• His first marriage produced four children, two of whom — particularly his son Robbie Knievel — followed in his daredevil footsteps.

• The second marriage was marked by controversy, including an incident leading to a restraining order by Krystal after allegations of violence.

• Despite personal challenges, his later life involved an attempt at reconciliation and a quieter domestic existence with his second wife.

Beyond the Spotlight: Lifestyle, Assets & Interests

Beyond his public persona, Evel Knievel’s lifestyle and interests painted a picture of a man driven by thrill, legacy, and — eventually — regret.

• He was known for his flashy costumes: star-spangled jumpsuits, capes, and patriotic-style gear that became iconic and later collectible.

• He indulged in merchandise licensing heavily — from toys to branded memorabilia — ensuring his name lived on even after he stopped performing.

• In his later years, despite health struggles, he remained a symbol of fearless ambition; his persona inspired countless daredevils and stunt performers who followed him.

However, when he died, his estate reportedly held minimal liquid assets: documents revealed that at one point the residual value of his estate was as low as $12,500 — including a 2005 V-Rod Harley-Davidson valued at $10,000.  This contrast — between public fame and private financial fragility — underscores a complicated legacy.

Evel Knievel Net Worth Breakdown & Analysis

His net worth estimation stems primarily from posthumous evaluations. According to one widely cited source — CelebrityNetWorth — his net worth was about US$ 3 million at the time of death.

Though he donated to the daredevil culture and left a lasting brand, the financial legacy he left was modest. The disparity comes from a mix of lifestyle costs, legal and medical expenses, and perhaps the absence of long-term investment planning.

Public Image, Legacy & Influence

To this day, Evel Knievel remains an icon — not because he accumulated vast wealth, but because he embodied an audacious spirit that few dared to match.

He helped define what public daredevilry could be: part theatrical show, part athletic spectacle. His jumps — over buses, cars, and canyons — turned him into a symbol of risk, thrill, and showmanship. 

His influence persists in extreme sports, stunt culture, motorcycling communities, and even pop-culture fashion. The existence of a dedicated Evel Knievel Museum stands as testament — the museum draws fans of mania, nostalgia, and fascination with danger and bravado. 

Artists, extreme athletes, and thrill-seekers continue to evoke his name as inspiration — a reminder that sometimes legacy isn’t about comfort, but about daring to live on the edge.

Final Thoughts

Evel Knievel’s story is one of adrenaline, spectacle, and contradictory legacies. Born October 17, 1938 — his birthday — in Butte, Montana, he rose from working-class roots to become perhaps the world’s most famous motorcycle daredevil. His estimated net worth of US$ 3 million signals modest financial reward for a life built on extreme risk.

Yet his relationships, his tumultuous personal life, his meteoric stardom — all speak to a man who lived by his own rules. Through decades of bone-shattering jumps, public fame, and private struggles, he crafted a name that still resonates.

Evel Knievel may not have left behind vast fortunes, but the legacy of fearlessness and spectacle he built stands firm — a timeless tribute to ambition, courage, and living life fast.