In His Own Words: The Life and Legacy of Erich von Däniken (1935-2026)

In his own words, Erich von Däniken (1935–2026) recounts how his strict Catholic education led to profound doubts after studying biblical texts, noticing inconsistencies like a God who uses vehicles and makes mistakes. This curiosity drove him to explore ancient myths globally, culminating in his seminal work, Chariots of the Gods, where he proposed that ancient "gods" were actually extraterrestrial astronauts—an idea he presented not as fiction but as fact based on sources like the Book of Enoch and the Mahabharata. Despite fierce criticism from archaeologists and theologians, his book became a worldwide phenomenon, selling millions and inspiring a genre. Von Däniken emphasized that his core mission was to foster humility, arguing humanity is neither creation's crown nor evolution's peak but part of a cosmos teeming with life and ancient visitations. He expressed confidence that his legacy would endure through ongoing research and a shifting paradigm toward accepting extraterrestrial influence in human history.