Erich von Däniken (1935 - 2026)

[Agape]

To my inexplicable grief... One of the greatest dreamers and researchers of all times, giant soul with equally big heart and sense of humor,
Mr Erich von Däniken has departed towards his celestial abode.

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/culture...-died/90756950

The Swiss author and publicist Erich von Däniken has died at the age of 90. The writer made a name for himself around the world as a controversial expert on the gods, and his books sold millions of copies.

His death was confirmed to news agency Keystone-SDA by his daughter on Sunday.

Cornelia von Däniken said that her father had died of old age at a hospital in Interlaken, canton Bern. The news of the death of the internationally renowned author and journalist can also be found on websites dedicated to Erich von Däniken.

The author made a name for himself worldwide as a controversial researcher of the gods. Von Däniken was born on April 14, 1935 in Zofingen, canton Aargau. With the publication of Chariots of the Gods in 1968, von Däniken triggered a science-fiction boom and conquered bestseller lists.

His debut was followed by numerous other books, documentaries and television series. Von Däniken went from being an amateur researcher to an entrepreneur, later founding a foundation.

Altogether von Däniken wrote 49 books, which sold 75 million copies and were translated into
more than 30 languages, according to his agent. He was a global phenomenon who nevertheless had difficulty establishing himself in his own country.

Safe flight Erich . See you soon.


🙏✨🙏

[Agape]

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=8A3X1QWH8nM

On January 10th 2026, the world lost one of its most influential and provocative thinkers, Erich von Däniken.

This interview between Erich von Däniken & Paul Wallis was originally recorded in 2020 and is being reuploaded in remembrance of Erich’s life and work. At the time of its original release, many viewers may not have encountered it, and we feel it is fitting to make this important conversation available again in light of his passing.

In this wide ranging discussion, Erich reflects on his decades of research, his interpretations of ancient texts, and the questions that have driven his lifelong inquiry into humanity’s past and our place in the universe. The conversation captures his clarity of thought, intellectual courage, and enduring curiosity in his own words.

This reupload is shared as a tribute and as a historical record of a voice that profoundly shaped global conversations around ancient civilizations, paleocontact research, and open inquiry.

Rest in peace, Erich von Däniken. Thank you. You will be missed, but your legacy will live on.


@the5thkind

[Bill Ryan]

My own meeting with Erich von Däniken in Switzerland 15 years ago.

(...and at the end, please do watch to the VERY VERY last second of the video. It's worth it. )

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=VqjDOvSbXtY

[sdv]

They promised they would return.

That is so interesting as I have not come across that in the work of Paul Wallis or Mauro Biglioni (translator of ancient texts) or Graham Hancock, not in an explict and detailed way.

As Erich said himself, it is difficult to pinpoint an actual date of the return, although an entire cottage industry has developed of people who say they can.

What a treasure this man was, researching and writing about our true origins and history long before anyone else was doing such research and publishing.

[Johan (Keyholder)]

While I read Blavatsky and Steiner in the late sixties, around the same time I read (a Dutch translation of) Von Däniken's "Chariots of the Gods", his first book. I remember I bought the book in "De Slegte", a bookstore still in its early days, in Flanders and the Netherlands.

This book was part of the very start of my personal library.

[Bright Skies]

Posted by Johan (Keyholder) (here)
While I read Blavatsky and Steiner in the late sixties, around the same time I read (a Dutch translation of) Von Däniken's "Chariots of the Gods", his first book. I remember I bought the book in "De Slegte", a bookstore still in its early days, in Flanders and the Netherlands.

This book was part of the very start of my personal library.

Thank you for sharing your memories.

As a young man in the UK my father purchased and read Chariots of the Gods? which I believe is the first English version from 1969 (the original German version was published in 1968). The very same book still sits on his shelf today! 📚 It influenced his thinking and indeed influenced mine and from time to time we speak about these big questions around the family dinner table. 🌌

Posted by Bill Ryan (here)
My own meeting with Erich von Däniken in Switzerland 15 years ago.

(...and at the end, please do watch to the VERY VERY last second of the video. It's worth it. )

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=VqjDOvSbXtY

What a flashback!

And yes! 😃 I remember that epic ending! 👏



✨🙏✨

[Agape]

Hello Bill. Thank you so much for posting . Erich von Daniken has always been on my mums "favourite tabs".
Even while I wasn't quite that interested, quite yet and thought it all may be just a speculation and before I started to travel and explore on my own,
his books kept reminding us there are always more questions remaining unanswered ,
that Universe is much more than our "conscripted theories" and also,
how much of the Big Truth is hidden in plain sight , on this very planet.

Since both mum and Mr Erich von Daniken who has reached "the Dalailama age" ( both were born in 1935 ) have left ,
I feel like a child today. So sorry I did not meet you both back then.


Profound condolences and commiserations to the brave people of Switzerland.



🧳

[Bill Ryan]

Posted by Johan (Keyholder) (here)
While I read Blavatsky and Steiner in the late sixties, around the same time I read (a Dutch translation of) Von Däniken's "Chariots of the Gods", his first book. I remember I bought the book in "De Slegte", a bookstore still in its early days, in Flanders and the Netherlands.

This book was part of the very start of my personal library.

Chariots of the Gods was first published in hardback in 1968. There were several detailed reviews in the British newspapers, and I was immediately fascinated. I saved up my pocket money and it was the very first book I ever bought and owned. I read it from cover to cover several times.

[Open Minded Dude]

The father of Ancient Aliens Theory. And a mentor for so many open-minded researchers and experts in all kinds of fields who followed in his footsteps. His base hypothesis will be proven right one day for sure and without a doubt, and become mainstream knowledge beyond all ridicule and denial.

He will be missed but never forgotten. Thanks for your work and inspiration, Erich.

[Ravenlocke]

I always remember Erich Von Daniken, because I got to watch the movie Chariots of the Gods in my high school auditorium in the seventies.

[Agape]

I would like to share one of the last but most up-to-date lectures I have seen in last year's, of course by Erich von Däniken .

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=dnFRp4Hyz0c

Researcher and author Erich von Daniken delivers a fascinating presentation about the ancient writings from around the world that describe an extraterrestrial battle and their contact with our ancient ancestors.
This channel is under ZEG UK/USA/PM LTD & AdRev Management.

Published on June 22 2021. Not an AI.


Also published in most major Indian newspapers and outlets such as Dainika Bhaskara:

Current Affairs 13 January:ISRO's first mission of 2026, PSLV-C62, fails; Swiss author Erich von Däniken passes away


According to the APN , "Erich von Däniken is survived by his wife of 65 years, Elisabeth Skaja, Cornelia and two grandchildren."


Thank you for your precious time and attention.


🙏✨🙏

[TrumanCash]

I did not read The Chariots of the Gods book but later discovered that these so-called "gods" were ETs through past life regressions with abductees and eventually through my own past life experiences. In this way I was able to verify Erich von Daniken's research as well as the research of Zecharia Sitchin and more recent researchers like Jason Jorjani.

The advantage of using past life research with abductees is that it yields the details of how these ETs have manipulated mankind for thousands of years to create chaos, endless wars and spiritual darkness. Anyone can do this research themselves to verify what I discovered and documented three decades ago in my two books The Programming of a Planet and The Eye of Ra (links below).

These are the same ETs who created insidious secret societies and mainstream religions which was also reported by Bill Cooper and Bob Lazar in above-top-secret government documents.

[sdv]

TrumanCash
In any of the past life regressions did you come across a reason why these ETs were so manipulative and aggressive? The Old Testament stories show that the ETs could be aggressive and cruel. (ETs, not aliens, because I think the ancient writings describing how these ETs 'created' homo sapiens and used some of their DNA to do so are likely to be true accounts).

Maybe I am just attached to a belief that for a species to be successful galactic travellers, co-operation, peace and embracing diversity are essential.

And why have a significant number of humans overcome the violent and cruel aspects of human nature? Buddhists never encountered Jesus, who for the most part advocated for peaceful co-existence. Certainly in the Old Testament there did not seem to be anyone else who was advocating for peace and compassion for others, etc.

[Bill Ryan]

Copying this post by Bluegreen on his thread:

~~~

ERICH VON DÄNIKEN R.I.P.



A PERSONAL TRIBUTE BY PAUL WALLIS

"It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Erich von Däniken on January 10, 2026. Our thoughts are with his family. He is also mourned by friends around the world, the millions of readers of his books, and the many colleagues who had the privilege of working with him."

Published 12th January 2026 (18:34)

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=0mss76yuyps

Bonus

2009 07 20 Project Camelot Meets Erich von Däniken



In this fascinating conversation, Project Camelot sits down with Erich von Däniken, the world-renowned author of Chariots of the Gods, to discuss ancient mysteries, extraterrestrial influences, and lost civilizations. Recorded on 20 July 2009, this interview delves into his decades of research on ancient astronaut theory and the evidence suggesting that humanity’s past may not be what we’ve been told.

Topics covered include:

✅ Ancient structures and their potential connection to advanced civilizations
✅ The role of extraterrestrial beings in shaping early human development
✅ Suppressed archaeological discoveries that challenge mainstream history
✅ What this means for the future of humanity

(18:35)

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=KkGU15mpsAY

[Mike Gorman]

I remember reading "Chariots of the gods" way back in the early 1970's, his statements always appeared in newspapers, niche magazines, at first my natural sense of caution spoke to me, I thought this could be a classic charlatan (even as a youngster I was imbued with critical thought, no doubt like many among you) however I was impressed with this book it had value not so much for his claims of 'ancient astronauts' but for his ability to challenge the blithe & arrogant self assuredness of the scientific & archeological academic community, Erich possessed such a positive, questing spirit that it disarmed the reader and actually stimulated thinking, generated discussion - this man did not care if professors ridiculed him or if journalists scoffed, he was genuine about re-examining our comfortable assumptions & established ways of thinking. Erich was a true seeker of truth & a truly curious & interested man: this is a wonderful quality. Thank you Erich, you pioneered thinking among both the mass public, & academics alike, I was genuinely sad to hear of his death, really the passing of a hero in the modern idiom, for what my humble acclaim is worth, well done sir!

[Scott]

I always wanted to Interview Erich von Däniken but never got the chance
If it wasn't for Chariots of the Gods I would not think the way I do.
Erich like Joseph Campbell opens a whole "Universe of ancient history".