Evel Knievel died Friday at the age of 69 years-old. He had been in failing health for years, suffering from diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable condition that scarred his lungs. Knievel had undergone a liver transplant in 1999 after nearly dying of hepatitis C, likely contracted through a blood transfusion after one of his bone-shattering spills. He also suffered two strokes in recent years.

Longtime friend and promoter Billy Rundle said Knievel had trouble breathing at his Clearwater condominium and died before an ambulance could get him to a hospital.

"It’s been coming for years, but you just don’t expect it. Superman just doesn’t die, right?" Rundle said.

Only a few days ago Evel settled a lawsuit with Kanye West, and both posed for a picture together. Evel said a few nice things about Kanye. There are few real heros these days, but Evel was always a hero from the day he was born, until the day he died. The legend lives on. Click here to read more about him.

Evel Knievel sued Kanye West and his record company last year. He took issue with a 2006 music video for the song "Touch the Sky," in which the rapper takes on the persona of "Evel Kanyevel" and tries to jump a rocket-powered motorcycle over a canyon.

Knievel failed in his attempt to jump the Snake River Canyon in Idaho in 1974.

West’s attorneys argued the video amounted to satire, covered under the First Amendment.

"We settled the lawsuit amicably," Knievel said Tuesday. "I was very satisfied and so was he." Meeting West changed his mind, Knievel said. "I thought he was a wonderful guy and quite a gentleman," he said. Knievel also expressed concern for West, who is grieving the sudden death of his mother earlier this month. "I know he’s had some tough times the past few weeks, and I hope things work out," Knievel said.

Kanye is still making his mother proud.