Claude Vorilhon French journalist and racing driver, founder and leader of the Raelian religious sect. Date of Birth: 30.09.1946 Country: France

1. Claude Vorilhon: From Pop Star to Religious Leader
2. Education and Early Career
3. Rise to Fame
4. Transition to Journalism
5. The Raëlian Movement
6. Global Expansion and Cloning
7. Personal Life

Claude Vorilhon: From Pop Star to Religious Leader

Claude Maurice Marcel Vorilhon, better known as Raël, was born on September 30, 1946, in Vichy, France. He spent his childhood in the commune of Ambert, raised by his atheist grandmother.

Education and Early Career

Vorilhon briefly attended a Catholic school but was expelled due to his refusal to be baptized. He later enrolled in a secular school but dropped out at the age of 15. He moved to Paris, where he performed his own songs on the streets and in cafés.

Rise to Fame

Vorilhon's talent was recognized by Lucien Morisse, who offered him a lucrative contract as a pop star on French radio. Under the pseudonym Claude Zeller, he released six singles and became a rising star. However, Morisse's suicide in 1970 led Vorilhon to pursue a different path.

Transition to Journalism

Vorilhon became a sports car journalist, fulfilling his passion for racing. He established a publishing house in Clermont-Ferrand and launched the automotive magazine "Autopop" in 1971.

The Raëlian Movement

Vorilhon's life took a dramatic turn on December 13, 1973, when he claimed to have made contact with extraterrestrial beings. They allegedly appointed him as their messenger on Earth.

Vorilhon founded the Raëlian Movement, a religious sect that initially faced skepticism. Undeterred, he spread his message worldwide, gaining followers. By 1997, the movement had a global presence in 84 countries.

Global Expansion and Cloning

The Raëlian Movement gained financial stability by 2001 and became a major sponsor of the Clonaid human cloning project. Vorilhon established a headquarters in Montreal, Canada.

Personal Life

Vorilhon has been married several times. His first marriage was to Marie-Paule Christine in 1971, and his most recent was to Canadian journalist Sophie de Nièvrelle in 2003. He has one daughter, Aurore, from his first marriage.