Erich von Däniken passed away on January 10th, 2026
On his homepage is an offical obituary written in German.
Translation:
I never owned a book by him (although I have seen many interviews with him), but I have read dozens of books in which he is mentioned.
He has always inspired me, and I would like to thank him for everything he has given us.
May he arrive safely on the other side
On his homepage is an offical obituary written in German.
Translation:
This text may be freely used provided the source is acknowledged.
Obituary for Erich von Däniken
It is with great sadness and shock that we learned of the death of Erich von Däniken on January 10, 2026.
Our thoughts are with his family. His friends all over the world also mourn his passing.
Millions of readers of his books and the many colleagues who Millions of readers of his books and the many companions who
had the privilege of working with him for decades. His "Research Society for
Archaeology, Astronautics and SETI" (A.A.S.) and all those interested in paleo-SETI research
received the news with dismay.
Childhood and youth
Erich von Däniken was born on April 14, 1935, in Zofingen, Switzerland, and grew up in
Schaffhausen. EvD, as many called him, was greatly influenced by the humanistic
Collège St. Michel in Fribourg. Even during his high school years, he was already interested in
archaeology and futurology, space travel, and philosophy, especially
philosophy of religion. He began to doubt whether the traditional interpretations of
legends, myths, and biblical texts were accurate. Biblical texts in particular described a
God who did not correspond to the Almighty, but appeared in a heavenly vehicle with
wheels and other technical details. Who or what was behind this and
similar descriptions, he wondered? For EvD, it was out of the question to simply believe the inconsistencies of the biblical texts in the Old
Testament because religion demanded it. He once said: "If there really is a creator God before whom one stands after death,
he will surely ask whether one has used one's mind in life to seek and find truths."
Slowly, more realistic explanations than those offered by religions began to mature in the young Erich von Däniken,
but they radically shattered the image of early human history. He analyzed
evidence of human history in mythology, archaeology, and ethnology with imagination
and realism. And the dawn of space travel in the 1950s and 60s reinforced his
hypothesis: Could extraterrestrials have influenced the development of humanity
millennia ago and left traces on Earth?
In his time-consuming search for clues, Erich von Däniken showed perseverance and
consistency. He undertook expeditions to all parts of the world and meticulously documented
strange finds that apparently did not fit into the scheme of archaeology and mythology.
The world-famous author
The 1960s and 70s: An initial, turbulent phase in the life of Erich von Däniken. As a young
restaurateur, he wrote articles on various topics and, in 1968, his first book: "Memories of
the Future," which quickly became one of the most influential non-fiction books of the 20th century
. Still working as a hotelier, the writer, who quickly rose to fame, was supported during
this phase by his wife Elisabeth and his family after personal tragedies and
professional setbacks and hostility.
But many critics and skeptics had underestimated the enormous interest of broad sections of the population
in his works. Erich von Däniken set off an avalanche. His debut
“Memories of the Future” (filmed in 1969 and nominated for an Oscar) became the first of his international bestsellers under the
English title “Chariots of the Gods” and triggered
“Dänikenitis” worldwide, as the New York Times dubbed the phenomenon.
Erich von Däniken marked a turning point in the thinking and feelings of many of his
readers. With his early works, he followed on from the 1950s with C. W. Ceram's
archaeological study of the past, “Gods, Graves and Scholars.”
His formula “The gods were astronauts” linked the present and the future with
early history. According to his theory, extraterrestrial
intelligences visited Earth in human history and were interpreted as gods because the technology of these beings appeared
magical in the eyes of humans. Evidence of this can be found in archaeological relics,
mythological accounts, and traditional rituals as documented by ethnologists.
Erich von Däniken documented facts that can be interpreted in different ways,
but which were and are real and verifiable by anyone.
The estimated worldwide circulation of Erich von Däniken's books is 80 million copies;
the Swiss author is one of the most internationally successful authors of our time. His books
have been translated into almost 40 languages. In addition to 49 non-fiction books, his publications also include books for young adults,
novels, CDs, and DVDs. His analyses, thoughts, and
interpretations have been used as the basis for documentary films, Hollywood blockbusters, and
electronic publications. On September 26, 1996, the television station RTL
aired the film “Aliens – Are They Returning?” by and starring Erich von Däniken. With 4.9
million viewers, it achieved the highest ratings after 10 p.m. at that time. Together
with RTL, Erich von Däniken made two sequels in 1997, which were broadcast in the fall of the same year and
in the spring of 1998. His biography was documented in
books, films, and television media during his lifetime. In the following
decades, Erich von Däniken gave countless lectures and participated in discussions in public and at universities.
Among the many awards Erich von Däniken received during his lifetime, the
honorary doctorate from the Universidad Boliviana (1975) and honorary citizenship of the
Peruvian city of Nazca are particularly noteworthy. Outstanding awards include:
• Honorary doctorate from the Universidad Boliviana, Bolivia (1975)
• Honorary citizenship of the city of Nazca, Peru
• Honorary citizenship of the city of Ica, Peru (1981)
• Honorary member of the Order of the Cordon Bleu du Saint Esprit, Germany (1987)
• Prêmio Lourenço Filho in gold and platinum, Brazil
• Golden Idea Award from the Swiss Society for Ideas and
Innovation Management. Switzerland (2003)
• “World Explorer Award” from the World Explorers Club, TU Lodz, Poland (2004)
• Award from the city of Curitiba, Brazil (2013)
Despite his success, Erich von Däniken remained modest. Or, in his own words: "... a good glass of
red wine, a cozy apartment, a nice evening with family and friends – that's better
than a villa with a swimming pool, luxury, and first class." Erich von Däniken, on the other hand, invested
in research, expeditions, and projects that would provide even more evidence for his "gods
astronauts theory." This hypothesis is called Paleo-SETI or pre-astronautics.
The hypothesis
Erich von Däniken was a friend of open communication and said what he thought. This also applied
to his dealings with the media and his fight against simplifications and
untruths, which are repeatedly spread. He emphasized that he had NEVER said, for
example, that astronauts from outer space had built the pyramids or other
prehistoric monuments such as Stonehenge themselves. Or that the Peruvian Nazca plain
was an airport for the gods and the ground drawings there were landing strips. However, these
and other absurdities were repeated in the media, as was the misleading
term “UFO researcher.” Erich von Däniken was more concerned with providing food for thought. In
his opinion, ancient peoples documented their
observations and encounters with the supposed “gods” in their works, myths, and traditions. EvD himself said that he had
found no recognized proof for his theory, but a great deal of circumstantial evidence. THIS needs to be
discussed, weighed up, and researched. The motto was: provide inspiration and create a
new climate of thinking for, but NOT ONLY for, the sciences.
Erich von Däniken had a message that was important to him: his theory, Paleo-SETI or
pre-astronautics, should be addressed in scientific discussion. He did not want
it to become a cult or a quasi-religious form just because the central
question concerned extraterrestrial intelligence. The topic of ETI (Extra Terrestrial Intelligence), according to
his life's conclusion, must be part of objective debate and research! Faith
had no place in this, Erich von Däniken repeatedly emphasized, stressing that he
did not want to be a guru or cult leader. Rather, he wanted to break through the zeitgeist, to tear down the walls
in the minds of those who were trapped in narrow ways of thinking. He saw himself as an
intellectual troublemaker and was perceived positively by many in this sense.
In 1998, the promoter of the Paleo-SETI hypothesis founded the "Research Society for
Archaeology, Astronautics, and SETI“ (A.A.S.), which continues the work of the former ”Ancient Astronaut
Society.“ It publishes the magazine ”Sagenhafte Zeiten" (Legendary Times) and organizes
symposiums. The A.A.S. is open to anyone interested in following in the footsteps of Erich von
Däniken to find answers to the great mysteries of this world. His
life's work is also being continued by the Erich von Däniken Foundation and its research projects
. It was on his initiative that the "Erich von Däniken Mysteries of
the World" foundation was established, which, among other things, realized the goal of building an
adventure park in the Interlaken area, the “Mystery Park.” The aim of the project was to raise questions
and introduce all visitors to the great mysteries of this world in an entertaining way and
motivate them to actively research for themselves. Although the theme park he initiated was
closed at the end of 2006 for economic reasons, since its opening in
2003, over a million interested visitors have enjoyed the 3D displays, film presentations, and
documentaries. The park in Interlaken is now continued under the name "Zukunftscampus
Etherlaken" (Future Campus Etherlaken).
The man E. v. Däniken
Erich von Däniken was not only an author and researcher, he was also married to his wife Elisabeth for 65 years,
father to a daughter, grandfather to two grandchildren – and he even had the privilege of meeting his
great-granddaughter. Since 1995, Erich and Elisabeth von Däniken had lived in
Beatenberg, in the Bernese Oberland, which he described as “the most beautiful place in the world,” with a view of
the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountain range. However, even in his
final years, his peace and contemplation were frequently interrupted by extensive lecture tours through Central European
countries and the USA, new book and film projects, and intensive work in his office in
Interlaken. His 49th and last book, “Notizen aus meinem Leben” (Notes from My Life), was published in 2024. Until 2024, he accompanied
study tour groups to the sites of ancient cultures and explained his
interpretations of unusual finds or traditions on site.
Erich von Däniken was internationally present to a global audience until a few months before his death at events, in
many media outlets, and not least through the US TV series “Ancient Aliens,” which was based on his ideas.
What attributes can be used to describe Erich von Däniken?
What attributes can be used to describe Erich von Däniken? His companions think of
terms such as strong-willed, imaginative, optimistic, creative, uncomplicated,
persistent, pragmatic, daring, impulsive, generous, determined, spirited, strong,
and ingenious. Sometimes energetic, sometimes sensitive,
Erich von Däniken had a strong will, a sometimes edgy distinctiveness, and
purposefully pursued clues that supported his theory. Tough in debate
and never shying away from a dispute, he was also a brilliant communicator and just as
sociable and amiable in his personal dealings with everyone who knew him. Albert Schweitzer
once said, "The only important thing in life is the traces of love we leave behind
when we depart." This statement fits Erich von Däniken's long life very well.
Erich von Däniken leaves behind a huge mosaic of unforgettable memories of the
most successful non-fiction author of our time with his consistent commitment to the
search for an answer to the question he made popular: Did our planet Earth have
visits from extraterrestrial intelligences in the distant past? Behind his research work
and the image that the public had of him, however, were also philosophical questions that he dealt with, which not many people knew about.
Among the great mysteries and questions of this world that von Däniken explored in long
discussions with friends and acquaintances were the topics of life,
evolution, time and space, and death.
“For us believing physicists,” Albert Einstein once wrote shortly before his death, "the distinction between past, present, and “For us believing physicists,” Albert Einstein once wrote shortly before his death, "the distinction between past, present, and
future is only the meaning of an illusion, albeit a persistent one." Thus, Erich von
Däniken saw a possible bridge between the reality of our world and that which cannot be grasped by
our intellect.
For von Däniken, who believed in the “great spirit of creation,” there was no “end,” but
only a new beginning. In this spirit, we remember Erich von Däniken, bow our heads in
admiration for his life's work, and recall with gratitude, esteem, and respect Erich von
Däniken's energy, determination, and straightforwardness.
Future generations will remember Erich von Däniken through his bestsellers and documentaries,
his countless lectures, media appearances, his Erich von Däniken Foundation,
and the A.A.S. Research Society, which continues his work.
Written by the contributors of A.A.S. GmbH and the editorial team of the magazine "Sagenhafte
Zeiten" (Legendary Times).
Quotes from Erich von Däniken
The truth never triumphs, but its opponents gradually die out.
Our current space travel resembles the rafts of the Stone Age.
Invented “gods,” i.e., pure fantasy figures, would not have remained in
the consciousness of mankind for long. ... The gods we speak of
must have been real phenomena, so intelligent and powerful
that they made a lasting impression on our ancestors
and filled the minds and beliefs of
humankind for many centuries.
The Nazca Lines: Smart alecks have often accused me
I classify people who lived thousands of years ago as not particularly
intelligent. On the contrary, I consider them to be very clever. They weren't
so stupid as to sweep large markings into the ground over generations
without knowing that they would actually be noticed by
some gods. Which gods?
For me, myths are not interesting fairy tales; for me, they are always
reports of facts witnessed by eyewitnesses who
passed on their observations in oral reports using the vocabulary
available to them. The core of myths contains facts.
Myths only seem inexplicable to me when viewed through the
sticky lenses of a non-technical era.
For professional archaeologists, the speculation surrounding the pyramids is a thorn in their side.
It is understandable that they are annoyed by the outsiders and “pyramid nuts,”
because their questions are either trivial or unanswerable.
The story of the monkey's evolution into an intelligent human being is a farce
with thousands of unanswered questions and thousands of half-baked answers.
Exact sciences are excellent, as long as they are not subordinate to any ideology.
It is the visionaries who keep the world in suspense. Not the bean counters.
For me, there is no question that extraterrestrials exist. The only question is:
Why do they make it so difficult for us to prove their existence?
About Erich von Däniken
"There is a commonality between Erich von Däniken's literary
visions and the Nazca lines: ‘straight-line construction principle’."
Prof. Dr. Gunter Reppchen, former dean, Department of Surveying /
Cartography, Dresden University of Applied Sciences.
"There are few people who become more and more likeable as the number of their enemies increases.
Erich von Däniken is one of those people on whom
hatred fortunately rolls off like water off a
lotus leaf. ... The persistence with which he puts forward new working hypotheses
without appealing to faith makes him a true scientist."
Prof. Dr. em. Beda Stadler, professor emeritus and former director of the
Institute of Immunology at the University of Bern
"Erich von Däniken's interesting projects deal with
extraterrestrial visits to Earth in order to give ETs a chance to
intervene in Earth's development."
Prof. Dr. Harry O Ruppe. Until 1994, Chair of Space Technology at the
Technical University of Munich
"In my opinion, Erich von Däniken has achieved something extraordinary:
with the power of constructive doubt, he has torn down ossified
bodies of knowledge and doctrines and opened our eyes to
alternative and no less plausible explanations."
Dr. Shamsey Oloko, philosophical practitioner & mindfulness teacher, Berlin
"In the 1960s, Erich von Däniken and his thesis – they
were here and they will come back – caused a sensation. He inspired me to
make my feature film ‘Die Delegation’ (The Delegation), which received the Golden Camera award after being broadcast on
ZDF to 20 million viewers."
Rainer Erler, writer, director, and film producer
"Erich von Däniken, a man full of curiosity and tireless energy,
with which he tries to awaken in many people the desire to explore the mysteries
of the universe. A man of remarkable
intelligence and rare generosity. His efforts to delve into the mystery of the
ancient astronauts testify to his great dedication to
researching the history of our planet."
Prof. Dr. Luis E. Navia, associate professor at the New York Institute of
Technology
"In science, you often have to imagine things before
you discover them. Data is not enough. The importance of these books
[Erich von Däniken's] is that they expand our imagination. That's why
we can find something that we couldn't imagine without these works."
Prof. Dr. Avi Loeb, Harvard University
Notes
Condolences can be posted on this website: www.evd.ch
Other websites with information about EvD and his work:
• www.daniken.com Erich von Däniken website in German/English (with biography,
bibliography, and much more)
• www.evdstiftung.ch the Erich von Däniken Foundation
• www.sagenhaftezeiten.com "Research Society for Archaeology, Astronautics and
SETI,“ A.A.S. GmbH, and the magazine ”Sagenhafte Zeiten"
• www.legendarytimes.com and “Legendary Times,” the English-language counterpart
of the research society
• www.jungfraupark.ch the “JungfrauPark” theme park in Interlaken (in future
“Zukunftscampus Etherlaken”)
• www.evd.ch Website where you can leave personal condolence messages
I never owned a book by him (although I have seen many interviews with him), but I have read dozens of books in which he is mentioned.
He has always inspired me, and I would like to thank him for everything he has given us.
May he arrive safely on the other side
