Raël

Biography

Raël, born Claude Maurice Marcel Vorilhon on September 30, 1946, in Vichy, France, is a notable journalist and the founder of the Raëlian Movement, an international religious movement centered around UFO beliefs. Before his transformation into a spiritual leader, he carved out a career as a sports-car journalist and test driver, launching his own publication, Autopop, in May 1971.

Vorilhon's life took a dramatic turn following a claimed encounter with an extraterrestrial being on December 13, 1973. This experience, which he chronicled in his book *Le Livre qui dit la vérité* ("The Book Which Tells the Truth"), led him to adopt the name Raël, meaning "messenger of the Elohim." He dedicated over three decades to promoting his teachings and books worldwide.

Raised in a mixed-religion household, Vorilhon's upbringing was marked by an early rebellion against religious norms, notably causing a stir at a Catholic boarding school. As a teenager, he fled to Paris, where he briefly pursued a career in music, releasing six singles under the name Claude Celler before shifting his focus back to journalism.

Raël's influence has extended beyond literature; he has been a vocal advocate for various causes, including reparations for the Huguenot descendants. His journey, from a pop star to a prominent figure in UFO spirituality, continues to captivate and provoke discussion around belief and extraterrestrial life.