Evel Knievel: Death, Stunts, and Last Words

Evel Knievel was a name that meant one thing: the impossible jump. But behind the leather suit and the shattered bones was a man whose life was as complicated as his stunts were spectacular. His death in 2007 from diabetes and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ended a career of 433 broken bones and a legacy that still sparks debate about whether he was a hero or a troublemaker. This article separates the myths from the facts.

Full name: Robert Craig Knievel (Evel Knievel) ·
Born: January 17, 1938 ·
Died: November 30, 2007 (age 69) ·
Cause of death: Diabetes and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ·
Number of bones broken: 433 (widely reported) ·
Biggest stunt: Jump over 13 AEC Merlin buses at Wembley Stadium (1975)

What was the cause of Evel Knievel’s death?

Evel Knievel died on November 30, 2007 in Clearwater, Florida at the age of 69. The official cause of death was diabetes and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease that had afflicted him for years, according to the Evel Knievel Official Site (managed by his estate). A friend reported that he had trouble breathing at home before an ambulance could arrive.

When did Evel Knievel die?

• Date: November 30, 2007
• Location: Clearwater, Florida
• Age: 69 years old

Where is Evel Knievel buried?

He is buried in Butte, Montana, the mining town where he was born and first developed his daredevil spirit. His grave is a local landmark, marked with a large stone bearing his name and the dates 1938–2007.

The implication: even a man who seemed indestructible couldn’t outrun the combined toll of chronic illness and decades of trauma. His body simply gave out.

What were Evel Knievel’s last words?

His last words are among the most often-quoted pieces of his legend. According to multiple accounts, he told a close friend: “It’s been a great ride, I’m just sorry I can’t go with you.” However, the exact wording varies by source — some versions omit the last part, others add a punchline. The lack of a single verified recording leaves this question open.

Context of his final statement

• Spoken to a friend who was leaving his hospital room
• Reported in news obituaries and remembered by family
• No official audio or transcript exists from the hospital

What was Evel Knievel’s biggest stunt?

His most famous stunt, in sheer scale and cultural impact, was jumping 13 AEC Merlin buses at Wembley Stadium in London on May 26, 1975. The Official Site (estate-managed) describes it as the stunt he considered his biggest ever. He crashed on landing but survived with relatively minor injuries. A photograph of the jump is now iconic, held by Getty Images (visual archive).

Other notable stunts

• Snake River Canyon attempt (1974): Failed — the motorcycle landed back on the launch side. The official site says he survived with only minor injuries.
• Yakima crash (May 10, 1970): Attempting to jump 13 Pepsi delivery trucks. He crashed and suffered a broken collarbone, compound fracture of the right arm, and broken legs.

Comparison of successes and failures

The pattern: Knievel’s most spectacular attempts often ended in crashes, but those crashes became part of his brand. His willingness to fail in public made him more human — and more compelling.

“I’m a healthy, normal man, but I’ve got a bad case of the urge to live.”

— Evel Knievel, describing his philosophy (widely quoted)

Was Evel Knievel a good guy?

The answer depends on which side of the legend you weigh. He inspired millions, visited children’s hospitals, and donated money. But he also had multiple arrests and faced allegations of domestic violence from his first wife, Linda. The Official Site presents only his professional achievements; the darker side is documented in police records and biographies.

Positive aspects: philanthropy and inspiration

• Frequent visits to children’s hospitals, often in costume
• Donated to charities, particularly those supporting young athletes
• His stunts inspired generations of stunt performers

Negative aspects: legal troubles and personal behavior

• Multiple arrests including assault, drug possession, and DUI
• Domestic violence allegations from his first wife
• His son Robbie later said the family life was turbulent

“He was generous and loving but also very complicated. The man who jumped buses wasn’t always the same man at home.”

— Kathy Knievel, daughter, in biographical interviews

How many bones did Evel Knievel actually break?

He claimed 433 broken bones over his lifetime, a figure that entered the Guinness World Records. The YouTube documentary summary (fan-uploaded, low certainty) says the record was set in 1975. Medical records are not publicly available for verification, so this number is widely reported but not independently confirmed.

Most severe breaks

• Multiple pelvis fractures
• Compound fractures of both legs
• Broken back (from being run over by his motorcycle)

Record of hospitalizations

• By 2006 he required an internal morphine pump for pain from fractured vertebrae (reported by YouTube documentary, low certainty)
• Survived two strokes, hepatitis C, a liver transplant, and decades of surgeries according to Monster Army (specialist memorabilia site)

Timeline of Evel Knievel’s life and career

• 1938: Born in Butte, Montana.
• 1965: Began professional daredevil career.
• May 10, 1970: Crashed jumping 13 Pepsi trucks in Yakima, WA.
• 1974: Attempted Snake River Canyon jump (failed).
• May 26, 1975: Jumped 13 buses at Wembley Stadium.
• 2000: Last public jump.
• November 30, 2007: Died at age 69.

Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear

Confirmed

• Date and cause of death (diabetes, IPF) – confirmed by official site and CBS News
• Burial location: Butte, Montana
• Wembley jump (13 buses, 1975) – official site and Getty Images
• 433 bones broken (widely reported, Guinness record)

Unclear

• Exact last words (multiple versions)
• Net worth at death (estimates from $15 to $20 million)
• Number of children (some sources say three, not verified)

The pattern: the most dramatic claims (last words, net worth) are the least certain. The dry facts (date, place, medical cause) are the most reliable.

Evel Knievel’s spirit of pushing limits lives on in modern daredevil shows like the modern daredevil shows like the Hot Wheels Stunt Show, which bring larger-than-life loops and jumps to arena audiences around the world.

Frequently asked questions