Anton Zzandor LaVey Satanist, American occultist, writer and musician Date of Birth: 11.04.1930 Country: USA

1. Anton Szandor LaVey: Founder of the Church of Satan
2. Early Life and Influences
3. Path to Satanism
4. Founding the Church of Satan
5. Legacy and Death

Anton Szandor LaVey: Founder of the Church of Satan

Anton Szandor LaVey, born Howard Stanton Levey on April 11, 1930, was an American occultist, writer, and musician. He is best known as the founder and High Priest of the Church of Satan, the first church of its kind to promote Satanic ideology and use the image of Satan as a symbol of personal freedom and individualism.

Early Life and Influences

LaVey was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1930, but his parents soon moved to California. From his Eastern European-born grandmother, LaVey learned many stories of the supernatural and superstitions. As a young boy, he developed a fascination with "dark" literature, such as Dracula and Frankenstein, as well as pulp magazines that would later become classics of horror and science fiction. He became friends with authors from "Weird Tales" magazine and immersed himself in the works of Jack London, comics, and historical accounts.

While popular occult books of the time did not interest LaVey, he was drawn to hypnosis and graphology. He also discovered a talent for music, particularly keyboards, and began playing in carnivals and nightclubs. Music became his primary source of income, and he used his performances to experiment with the influence of different sound combinations on crowds.

Path to Satanism

Due to his unconventional interests, LaVey always felt like an outsider and never sought to be part of a collective. He dropped out of school and spent his free time working in circuses and carnivals, first as a laborer and later as a musician. He even had a brief affair with the yet unknown Marilyn Monroe during his time in Los Angeles. Eventually, LaVey returned to San Francisco, where he became a photographer for the police department and studied criminology in college to avoid the Korean War draft.

In the 1950s, LaVey investigated paranormal activities and realized that most people were inclined to see the supernatural even in mundane things. His rationalism often clashed with his clients, so he began inventing more mystical explanations to satisfy their desires. In 1956, LaVey purchased a Victorian house in San Francisco, painting it black. This house would later become the birthplace of the Church of Satan.

Founding the Church of Satan

In 1959, LaVey met Diane Hegarty, who became his second partner. They had a daughter, Karla Maritza, in 1952. LaVey also crossed paths with renowned occultist Aleister Crowley in the early 1950s but found his teachings more focused on spiritual development and less in dissent with societal norms. LaVey's fame grew through his involvement in ghost hunting, and his weekly parties attracted prominent members of society. From these guests, LaVey recruited the core members of his Church, and he gradually developed a clear Satanic ideology that formed the basis for the new religion.

On Walpurgisnacht, April 30, 1966, the Church of Satan was officially founded. LaVey completed the Satanic Bible, a programmatic document for the religion. He continued to lead the Church until his death.

Legacy and Death

Anton LaVey passed away on October 29, 1997, at St. Mary's Hospital, a Catholic institution that he had to go to due to its proximity. He suffered from pulmonary edema. His body was cremated, and his ashes were divided among his followers. LaVey's teachings and the Church of Satan continue to exist, promoting individualism and personal freedom as core values.