Evel Knievel was born in Butte, Montana. Raised by his paternal grandparents, Knievel was inspired to become a motorcycle daredevil after attending a Joie Chitwood auto daredevil show. He left high school early to work in the copper mines but was later fired for causing a city-wide power outage. After adopting the nickname "Evel Knievel", he participated in rodeos and ski jumping events, and served in the U.S. Army before marrying Linda Joan Bork and starting a semi-pro hockey team. To support his family, Knievel started the Sur-Kill Guide Service and later worked as an insurance salesman. Eventually, he opened a Honda motorcycle dealership in Washington, but faced difficulties promoting Japanese imports. After the dealership closed, Knievel worked at a motorcycle shop where he learned motocross stunts that would later contribute to his daredevil career.
evel knievel was born in butte montana raised by his paternal grandparents knievel was inspired to become a motorcycle daredevil after attending a joie chitwood auto daredevil show he left high school early to work in the copper mines but was later fired for causing a city-wide power outage after adopting the nickname "evel knievel" he participated in rodeos and ski jumping events and served in the us army before marrying linda joan bork and starting a semi-pro hockey team to support his family knievel started the sur-kill guide service and later worked as an insurance salesman eventually he opened a honda motorcycle dealership in washington but faced difficulties promoting japanese imports after the dealership closed knievel worked at a motorcycle shop where he learned motocross stunts that would later contribute to his daredevil career