Evel Knievel to jump into marriage

Thursday, Nov. 18, 1999 | 1:46 a.m.

Evel Knievel catapulted into the national spotlight by jumping a motorcycle over the fountains in front of Caesars Palace more than three decades ago.

Now the famous daredevil will jump into matrimony atop those same fountains. Knievel, 61, will marry 30-year-old Crystal Kennedy Friday on a stage erected above the fountains.

The first time Knievel flew over the fountains, Dec. 31, 1967, he wrecked his motorcycle on the landing and ended up in the hospital for 31 days with broken bones.

In a prepared statement, Knievel said after surviving a lifesaving kidney transplant earlier this year he decided to marry Kennedy. The two met eight years ago.

"I feel like I got a chance and new life, so Crystal and I decided to start a new life, right here, where it all began," Knievel said.

archive