Anatomist Gunther von Hagens, Creator of 'Body Worlds,' Dies at 81

Gunther von Hagens, the German anatomist who gained global fame and sparked controversy with his exhibitions of plastinated human and animal corpses, has died. His team announced his passing on Monday, July 27, 2026, at the age of 81, adding that his body will also be plastinated, a technique he invented.

"It is with deep sadness that his family and the Institute of Plastination announce the death of Dr. Gunther von Hagens, inventor of plastination and creator of the Body Worlds exhibitions, which occurred on July 24, 2026, at the age of 81," the statement read. Von Hagens, nicknamed "Dr. Death," developed plastination in 1977 at Heidelberg University. The method involves removing water and fat from tissues and replacing them with silicone or epoxy resin, allowing bodies to be displayed in various poses.

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It is with deep sadness that his family and the Institute of Plastination announce the death of Dr. Gunther von Hagens, inventor of plastination and creator of the Body Worlds exhibitions, which occurred on July 24, 2026, at the age of 81.

His exhibitions, which showcase muscles, skeletons, and organs, have drawn millions of visitors worldwide but have also faced criticism and calls for bans. Despite the controversies, his team stated that his exhibitions made "anatomy accessible to the general public," encouraging "reflection on health, illness, lifestyles, and mortality." They described him as a "pioneer, researcher, inventor," and an "iconoclastic and sometimes controversial thinker."

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Gunther von Hagens had expressed the wish that his body be destined for plastination after his death. His family announced that they would respect and implement this will.

One permanent exhibition in Berlin, opened in 2015, faced legal challenges from district authorities who deemed it contrary to regional burial laws, though the courts ultimately sided with the exhibition. In 2021, Moscow authorities investigated the exhibition for potentially violating Russian "moral values" and legislation.

Von Hagens died after a "long and serious illness," according to his team. He grew up in East Germany, was imprisoned for attempting to flee the communist regime, and later moved to West Germany. "Body Worlds," known as "Körperwelten" in German, has been seen by over 58 million visitors, according to the announcement.

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His exhibitions had made anatomy accessible to the general public, encouraging reflection on health, illness, lifestyles, and mortality.