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BERLIN – Erich von Däniken, the celebrated Swiss author whose groundbreaking theories on extraterrestrial influence on ancient civilizations captivated millions globally, has passed away at the age of 90. His representatives confirmed on his official website Sunday that he died the previous day in a hospital in central Switzerland.
Von Däniken rose to international prominence in 1968 with the release of his seminal work, “Chariots of the Gods.” In this bestselling book, he posited that ancient civilizations, including the Mayans and Egyptians, received technological instruction from alien astronauts, enabling them to construct monumental structures like the pyramids. This publication ignited a widespread fascination with unexplained phenomena, coinciding with humanity’s imminent first steps on the Moon, a testament to conventional scientific achievement.
“Chariots of the Gods” was the first of more than two dozen books by von Däniken, establishing a unique literary genre that blended historical accounts with speculative fantasy, often challenging established scientific and historical evidence. Public broadcaster SRF reported that his books sold nearly 70 million copies in over 30 languages, solidifying his status as one of Switzerland’s most widely read authors.
Despite his immense popularity, von Däniken, a former hotel waiter, frequently faced financial difficulties throughout his life, often teetering on the brink of ruin. Born in 1935 to a clothing manufacturer in Schaffhausen, northern Switzerland, von Däniken reportedly diverged from his father’s strict Catholicism and the teachings of his boarding school priests, developing alternative explanations for the origins of life that differed from biblical narratives.
After leaving school in 1954, von Däniken worked for several years as a waiter and barkeeper, during which he faced repeated accusations of fraud and served multiple short prison sentences. In 1964, he became the manager of a hotel in the exclusive resort town of Davos and began writing his first book. Its rapid commercial success was swiftly followed by charges of tax evasion and financial impropriety, leading to another period of incarceration.
Upon his release, “Chariots of the Gods” was generating a substantial fortune for von Däniken, and his second book, “Gods from Outer Space,” was ready for publication. This allowed him to fully dedicate himself to his passion for the paranormal, embarking on global expeditions to uncover new mysteries.
Throughout the 1970s, von Däniken conducted numerous field trips to Egypt, India, and particularly Latin America, whose ancient cultures held a profound fascination for the amateur archaeologist. He delivered extensive lectures and established societies dedicated to promoting his theories, later embracing video and multimedia to reach ever-larger audiences eager for alternative historical narratives.
Undeterred by persistent criticism, von Däniken and his followers maintained a steadfast belief in repeated extraterrestrial visitations to Earth, and the prospect of future encounters. In 1991, von Däniken received the “Ig Nobel” prize for literature, an ironic acknowledgment for his efforts in raising public awareness of science through questionable experiments or claims.
Even when confronted with fabricated evidence, such as supposedly ancient pots proven to be nearly new in a British television documentary, von Däniken asserted that, despite minor discrepancies, his core theories remained sound. In his 1985 work, “Neue Erinnerungen an die Zukunft” (“New Memories of the Future”), he directly addressed his critics, stating, “I have admitted (my mistakes), but not one of the foundations of my theories has yet been brought down.”
While his popularity in the English-speaking world waned by the 1980s, von Däniken’s books and films significantly influenced a wave of semi-serious archaeological documentaries and popular television shows, including “The X-Files,” which explored paranormal mysteries through the investigations of two FBI agents.
His final major endeavor, a theme park inspired by his books, “Mystery Park,” ultimately failed after only a few years due to a lack of public interest. The park, with its man-made pyramids and otherworldly domes, remains standing, a testament to his vision, though tourists now predominantly favor the nearby town of Interlaken and the majestic Swiss Alps.
Erich von Däniken is survived by his wife of 65 years, Elisabeth Skaja, their daughter Cornelia, and two grandchildren.