Erich von Däniken, 'Ancient Aliens' Pioneer, Dies at 87 After a Lifetime of Controversy

Erich von Däniken, the controversial author behind Chariots of the Gods, has died at the age of 87. His 1968 book claimed ancient humans interacted with extraterrestrial visitors, sparking decades of debate. Though dismissed by scientists, his ideas captured global attention and shaped pop culture.

Von Däniken first gained fame in 1968 with Chariots of the Gods, which argued that advanced alien civilizations influenced early human societies. The book sold over 70 million copies in 30 languages, making it a publishing phenomenon. Critics, however, labelled his theories as pseudoscience, pointing to a lack of credible evidence.

Over the following decades, he expanded his claims in 48 more books, translated into 40 languages with total sales exceeding 80 million. His final work, Notizen aus meinem Leben, appeared in 2024, shortly after his death on January 10, 2023, in a Swiss hospital.

His theories inspired films like E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial and PK, both featuring stranded aliens on Earth. They also laid the groundwork for the long-running TV series Ancient Aliens, which has aired since 2009. Despite widespread scepticism, reports of strange creatures and unexplained vehicles continue to fuel public fascination.

Von Däniken's legacy endures through his books, television shows, and films. While mainstream science rejects his claims, his work remains influential in alternative history circles. The debate over ancient alien contact persists, keeping his ideas in the public eye.