Person Biography:
Erich von Däniken was born with a passion for archaeology, futurology, space travel, and molecular biology. He attended a Jesuit boarding school, where his interest in religion led him to explore philosophical problems. After completing his education, Däniken trained as a cook and waiter, working in the hotel industry and on ocean liners.
He eventually managed the Davos sports hotel "Rosenhügel" and continued his scientific and futurological studies, which led him to the thesis that there was a prehistoric civilization on Earth brought by alien astronauts. Däniken traveled extensively to prove his assumptions, but this led to financial problems and conflicts with the Swiss tax authorities.
In the 1960s, he published his hypotheses in "Memories of the Future" (1968),which became a bestseller and was adapted into a film in 1969. Millions of readers around the world devoured his numerous books, which sought to prove the extraterrestrial origins of human culture and civilization.
The "Ancient Astronaut Society" in Chicago, founded in 1973, helped spread his theses, and numerous scientists participated in the scientific discussion. Although public attention waned in the 1980s, Däniken regained recognition with his books for young people in the 1990s.
He appeared in several TV series and documentaries, including "In the Footsteps of the All-Mighty" (1993),"Contact with the Universe" (1995),and "Extraterrestrials - Are They Returning?" (1996). Däniken's largest project was the "Mysteries of the World" adventure park in Interlaken, Switzerland, which opened in 2003 but closed due to bankruptcy in 2006.
Däniken has been a member of the Swiss Writers' Association and the Swiss PEN Center and received honorary doctorates and awards from several South American bodies. He has been married to Elisabeth Skaja since 1960 and has a daughter.
