Tracey Knievel is the eldest daughter of legendary motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel, yet she has spent most of her life away from the cameras that once followed her father everywhere. While Evel became a household name for jumping over buses, cars, and canyons on his motorcycle, Tracey chose a much quieter path centered on family and privacy. Today, she plays a critical behind-the-scenes role in preserving her father’s legacy as President of K&K Promotions, the company that manages his name, image, and licensing rights. This article explores what is reliably known about Tracey’s early life, her family, and the work she does to keep the Knievel name alive.
Tracey Knievel: Quick Bio Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Tracey Knievel |
| Known For | Daughter of Evel Knievel; President of K&K Promotions |
| Father | Evel Knievel (Robert Craig Knievel) |
| Mother | Linda Joan Bork Knievel |
| Siblings | Kelly Knievel, Robbie Knievel, Alicia Knievel |
| Birthplace | Butte, Montana |
| Birth Date | Not publicly confirmed |
| Occupation | President, K&K Promotions |
| Notable Work | Co-producer, “Evel Knievel” (2004 TNT film) |
| Public Appearances | E! True Hollywood Story (1998) |
| Legal Involvement | Lawsuits over unauthorized use of Evel Knievel’s image |
| Public Profile | Private; rarely gives interviews |
Early Life and Family Background
Tracey was born to Robert “Evel” Knievel and his high school sweetheart, Linda Joan Bork, who married in 1959 in Butte, Montana. She grew up as one of four children, alongside brothers Kelly and Robbie and sister Alicia, during the height of her father’s fame in the 1960s and 1970s. Her exact birth date has never been made public, since Tracey has consistently avoided sharing personal details with the media.
Life in the Knievel household looked nothing like a typical American childhood. The family traveled constantly for Evel’s stunt shows, and Tracey grew up watching massive crowds gather to see her father attempt jumps that carried real danger. She experienced both the thrill of her father’s success and the fear that came with his frequent, well-documented crashes.
Growing Up in the Shadow of a Daredevil
Being Evel Knievel’s daughter meant living with constant public attention long before Tracey had any say in the matter. Reporters, fans, and photographers were a regular part of her early years, and she watched her father recover from injury after injury while still returning to the ramp. This upbringing shaped her into someone who valued stability and privacy rather than the spotlight her father embraced.
Despite the chaos of touring and fame, the Knievel siblings remained close. Even after Evel and Linda divorced in 1997, the family stayed connected, and Tracey continued to support her father through his later health struggles until his death from pulmonary fibrosis in 2007.
Leading K&K Promotions
After her father’s passing, Tracey stepped into a formal leadership role at K&K Promotions, the company responsible for protecting Evel Knievel’s intellectual property, trademarks, and licensing agreements. In this position, she reviews merchandise deals, approves the use of her father’s image, and works to ensure that any product bearing the Knievel name reflects his legacy accurately.
Under her guidance, K&K Promotions has licensed Evel Knievel’s likeness for toys, apparel, and collectibles that introduce his story to fans who never saw him perform. Tracey also represents the family at commemorative events, including Evel Knievel Days in Butte, Montana, and the opening of the Evel Knievel Museum in 2017.
Protecting Her Father’s Legacy Through Legal Action
Tracey has not hesitated to defend her father’s name when she believes it has been used without permission. In 2020, K&K Promotions filed a lawsuit against Disney and Pixar over the Toy Story 4 character Duke Caboom, arguing the animated stuntman infringed on Evel Knievel’s publicity rights. Courts ultimately sided with Disney, citing First Amendment protections for artistic works.
The family also clashed with musician Kanye West after his “Touch the Sky” music video parodied Evel’s failed Snake River Canyon jump. That dispute was resolved through a settlement rather than a prolonged court battle. These cases show that while Tracey avoids personal publicity, she takes an active and firm role in safeguarding the Knievel brand.
A Life Kept Private
Unlike her father and her daredevil brother Robbie, Tracey never performed stunts herself and has rarely spoken publicly about her personal life. She appeared in the 1998 E! True Hollywood Story documentary about her father and later co-produced the 2004 TNT movie Evel Knievel, starring George Eads, to help ensure the film portrayed him accurately.
Beyond these occasional public appearances tied to her father’s story, Tracey has kept details about her marriage, children, and daily life largely out of the public record. This deliberate privacy has made her one of the more difficult Knievel family members to research, even as interest in her father’s legacy continues decades after his death.
Conclusion
Tracey Knievel may not have inherited her father’s taste for danger, but she has become the steady force behind his enduring legacy. Through her leadership at K&K Promotions and her careful protection of the Knievel name, she ensures that Evel Knievel’s story continues to reach new generations, all while keeping her own life firmly her own.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Tracey Knievel?
Tracey Knievel is the eldest daughter of American stunt performer Evel Knievel and his first wife, Linda Bork.
2. What does Tracey Knievel do today?
She serves as President of K&K Promotions, the company that manages Evel Knievel’s name, image, and licensing rights.
3. Did Tracey Knievel become a stunt performer like her father?
No. Unlike her father and brother Robbie, Tracey never pursued stunt performing and instead focused on managing the family legacy.
4. Who are Tracey Knievel’s siblings?
She has three siblings: Kelly, Robbie, and Alicia Knievel.
5. Why does Tracey Knievel stay out of the public eye?
Tracey has consistently chosen privacy over publicity, appearing publicly mainly at events tied to honoring her father’s memory.
