Swiss Author Erich von Däniken Dies at 90 - Erich von Däniken, pioneer of ancient alien theories, dies at 90

Erich von Däniken, the Swiss author famous for his theories about extraterrestrial influences on ancient civilizations, has died at 90. He passed away on Saturday after a short stay in hospital in Unterseen, in the canton of Bern. His controversial ideas, including claims that aliens helped build the Egyptian pyramids, made him a well-known figure worldwide.

Before becoming a writer, Von Däniken worked various jobs, including chef, waiter, bartender, and hotelier. His career changed in 1968 with the release of Chariots of the Gods? Unsolved Mysteries of the Past. The book argued that many of humanity's ancient mysteries were signs of alien visitors.

Over the decades, he wrote dozens of books exploring his belief in extraterrestrial traces on Earth. His works sold over 80 million copies in more than 40 languages. He also travelled extensively, searching for evidence to support his theories.

In later years, Von Däniken shared his ideas through countless lectures on his YouTube channel. There, he continued to speculate about astronauts from distant worlds shaping human history.

Von Däniken's theories sparked debates and inspired generations of readers. His books remain widely read, ensuring his ideas endure. His death marks the end of a long career dedicated to exploring the boundaries between history, archaeology, and science fiction.