Tracey Knievel is the daughter of the iconic American stunt performer and daredevil, Evel Knievel. As part of the famous Knievel family, Tracey has been in the public eye since childhood. In this article, we’ll explore who Tracey Knievel is, her early life, and her family background.
Who is Tracey Knievel?Â
Tracey Knievel was born into stunt royalty as the daughter of Evel Knievel and Linda Knievel. While her exact birth date is not publicly known, she grew up during the height of her father’s fame in the 1970s.As one of Evel’s four children, Tracey witnessed her dad’s death-defying stunts firsthand from a young age. Evel’s fearless jumps over cars, buses, and canyons made him a household name and an American icon.
Tracey and her siblings – Kelly, Robbie, and Alicia – had a front-row seat to their father’s daring exploits. They often traveled with him to stunt shows and events across the country.
Early Life and Childhood
Growing up as Evel Knievel’s daughter meant Tracey had a far from typical childhood. Her father’s high-risk occupation and celebrity status shaped much of her early life experiences. Tracey and her siblings spent a lot of time on the road, attending Evel’s stunt shows and engagements. They witnessed both the triumphs and the painful crashes that were a part of Evel’s career.
Despite the unconventional upbringing, Tracey formed a close bond with her parents and siblings. The Knievel kids stuck together and supported their dad through the ups and downs of his profession.
Family Background
Tracey Knievel comes from a tight-knit family of daredevils and entertainers. Her father Evel married her mother Linda in 1959. Evel and Linda had four children together.
Tracey’s older brother Kelly Knievel also followed in their father’s footsteps as a stunt performer for a time. Her brother Robbie Knievel went on to become a famous daredevil in his own right.
Tracey and her sister Alicia have been involved in various projects commemorating their father’s legacy. The Knievel siblings participated in Evel’s stunt shows during their teenage years as part of the family business.
While Evel Knievel and Linda divorced in 1997 after 38 years of marriage, the Knievel children remained close to both parents. The family rallied together during Evel’s later health issues before he passed away in 2007.
Tracey Knievel in the 2004 TV Movie Evel Knievel
In 2004, a TV movie simply titled “Evel Knievel” aired on TNT. The film starred George Eads as Evel and Jaime Pressly as his wife, Linda. Tracey Knievel served as a co-producer on the project, helping to ensure the story captured the real essence of her father.Â
While the movie took some creative liberties, Tracey’s involvement helped keep it grounded in truth. Details like Evel’s struggles with addiction and the immense physical toll of the stunts added depth to the unbelievable action sequences. Tracey’s input gave audiences a peek behind the curtain at the man beneath the cape.
Contributions to Her Father’s Legacy
Tracey has been a dedicated custodian of her father’s legacy. She’s regularly participated in documentaries, interviews, and retrospectives examining Evel’s impact on sports and pop culture. One major example was Tracey’s appearance in the 1998 E! True Hollywood Story episode on her father. The interviews shed light on her perspective growing up with a famous daredevil dad. Stories of Evel’s larger-than-life personality, tireless work ethic, and unshakeable determination paint a personal picture you won’t find in highlight reels.
Tracey has also represented the Knievel family at events held in Evel’s honor. From ceremonies at his statue in Butte, Montana to the “Evel Knievel Days” festival, Tracey keeps his memory alive for his fans.
Maintaining Privacy While Honoring Evel Knievel
Growing up as the daughter of one of the most famous men in America couldn’t have been easy. Celebrity children often struggle to establish their own identities outside of a famous parent’s shadow. By all accounts, Tracey Knievel has managed to lead a fulfilling personal life while still celebrating her father’s accomplishments. She’s a mother and grandmother, but maintains a low public profile when it comes to her life outside the Knievel legacy.
Details about Tracey’s career and personal life are scarce, likely by design. Keeping those elements of her world private allows the focus to remain on remembering her legendary father. The public Tracey we see is the guardian of Evel’s memory.
Tracey Knievel’s Role in Preserving Evel Knievel’s Story
Since Evel Knievel’s death in 2007, Tracey has continued working to cement his status as an American icon. She serves as the President of K&K Promotions, the company which manages Evel Knievel’s intellectual property and image rights. Under Tracey’s watch, Evel’s likeness and famous Stars and Stripes leather jumpsuit have been licensed for use in toys, collectibles, apparel, and even a roller coaster at Six Flags St. Louis.
These deals introduce Evel to new generations too young to have seen his jumps live. Tracey and her brother Kelly have also fought to protect their father’s legacy from what they view as exploitative or misleading depictions. This includes filing trademark infringement lawsuits against Disney and rapper Kanye West.
Her efforts ensure Evel’s name and image are used in a manner true to the man himself. Tracey’s vigilance maintains Evel’s place in the cultural lexicon as the original daredevil.
Conclusion
Though she’s not soaring over canyons on a motorcycle, Tracey Knievel is still very much her father’s daughter. Her work behind the scenes keeps Evel’s memory alive and introduces his incredible exploits to new fans.
Tracey may maintain a low profile, but her love and respect for her one-of-a-kind father is evident. Through her efforts, the legend of Evel Knievel will live on for generations to come. And that may be the greatest stunt of all.
