Otto Kilcher (born on April 19, 1952) is an American reality TV star, skilled mechanic, and homesteader known for his appearances in Alaska: The Last Frontier.
His achievements as a homesteader, along with his role on the hit Discovery Channel show, have made him a beloved figure in the Alaskan community.
Who is Otto Kilcher?
Otto Kilcher is a skilled mechanic and homesteader best known for his role on the Discovery Channel’s reality show Alaska: The Last Frontier. He has spent much of his life living off the land, where he developed a passion for mechanics and self-sufficiency.
He has operated a boat transportation service and worked with local agricultural organizations, including the Kenai Peninsula Cooperative Weed Management Area Council and the Kenai Peninsula Farm Bureau.
These roles have helped him become a well-respected figure in the Alaskan community. Otto’s skills and knowledge also extend to farming and sustainable living. He has made significant contributions to local agriculture.
His efforts have inspired many to live more sustainably, while also highlighting the importance of self-reliance in remote areas like Alaska. His success as both a reality TV star and a homesteader has made him a prominent figure in Alaska and beyond.
Even with his fame, Otto remains dedicated to his roots. He continues to live on the family homestead, where he carries on the traditions of self-reliance and community. Through his work and television appearances, Otto Kilcher has become a symbol of resilience and resourcefulness in the Alaskan wilderness.
Early Life of Otto Kilcher
Otto Kilcher was born on April 19, 1952, in Alaska, in the United States. Otto is an American by nationality and his family comes from Swiss background. His parents moved to Alaska from Switzerland.
Because of this, Otto has Swiss-American ethnicity. His family followed Christian beliefs, as many families did during that time. Otto’s father was Yule Kilcher who was born on March 9, 1913, in Switzerland. He moved to Alaska in the 1940s.
He wanted a simple and free life and became one of the first settlers near Homer, Alaska. Yule later became a State Senator in Alaska. He worked to protect land and freedom and died in 1998 in Homer.
Otto’s mother was Ruth Kilcher. She also came from Switzerland. Ruth was a teacher and a writer. She taught the Kilcher children at home. She believed in learning, music, and nature. Ruth helped raise eight children.
Otto had six sisters and one brother, Atz Kilcher. Atz is also well-known from the TV show Alaska: The Last Frontier. Otto grew up on a homestead. There was no electricity, no running water. Life was hard, but it taught him many skills.
He learned how to fix things, work with tools, and take care of animals. Otto and his siblings studied at home. Their mother was their teacher as they learned from nature, books, and hard work. This simple life shaped who Otto is today.
Otto Kilcher Siblings
Otto Kilcher has one brother and six sisters. They all grew up on the family homestead near Homer, Alaska. Their parents, Yule and Ruth Kilcher, moved from Switzerland to Alaska to live a free and simple life. The children were raised with strong values, hard work, and a love for nature.
Atz Kilcher is Otto’s older brother was born on September 2, 1947, in Homer, Alaska. He is the oldest of the eight Kilcher children. Atz is also known for his role on the TV show Alaska: The Last Frontier. He is a singer and storyteller.
Atz was married to Lenedra Carroll, and they have three children, including the famous singer Jewel. He also has other children who appear on the show and work on the homestead.
One of Otto’s sisters is Mossy Kilcher, born Mairiis Kilcher. Mossy is a singer and songwriter. She grew up surrounded by nature and music. Her songs are inspired by the land and her life in Alaska. She has lived a peaceful, creative life, staying close to her roots.
Stellavera Kilcher is another sister. She is one of the eight Kilcher siblings. Stellavera now lives in Maharishi Vedic City near Fairfield, Iowa. But she still returns to Alaska in the summer. She visits the old homestead and stays connected to her family’s way of life.
The Kilcher family also includes Wurtilla Hepp, Fay Graham, and Sunrise Sjoeberg. These are Otto’s other sisters. They were all raised with the same strong values and skills. Some of them live in other places now, but they all share a deep bond with their family and Alaska.
Otto Kilcher Age
Otto Kilcher is 74 years old as of 2025 because he came into the world on April 19, 1952, in Alaska, United States. According to his birthday, he falls under the Aries zodiac sign.
Has Otto Kilcher Passed Away?
No, Otto Kilcher has not passed away. There have been rumors circulating online about his death, but these are false. Otto himself addressed these rumors, stating on social media that while people may read his obituary, he is alive and well.
He also clarified that some photos circulating with misleading captions were not of him. Otto continues to appear on the Discovery Channel show Alaska: The Last Frontier, where he shares his life on the Alaskan homestead.
His ongoing presence on the show and his active participation in daily life confirms that he is in good health. Although Otto has faced some health challenges, including a serious accident in 2021, he has shown great resilience. He has made a full recovery and is back to working on his homestead.
Otto Kilcher Accident
In 2021, Otto Kilcher was involved in a serious accident while working on his homestead. He was trapped under a rolled-over tractor while performing some farm work. The accident left him with severe injuries, including broken ribs and other damage to his body.
Otto’s injuries were serious enough that he had to undergo surgery and a lengthy recovery process. Despite the severity of the accident, Otto remained determined to recover. His resilience and strong work ethic, which had been developed over a lifetime of self-sufficiency, helped him through his recovery.
His family and the support of his fellow homesteaders played a crucial role during this time, as he worked to heal and get back to managing his farm and ranch. The accident was a reminder of the dangers that come with living and working in such a remote and physically demanding environment.
It also highlighted Otto’s strong will to continue his work on the homestead, despite the challenges he faced. His recovery was documented on the show Alaska: The Last Frontier, and viewers followed his journey back to health.
Otto Kilcher’s Homesteading Career
Otto Kilcher’s professional journey is rooted in his life as a homesteader in the Alaskan wilderness. From a young age, Otto became skilled in mechanics and problem-solving, repairing machinery and tools to keep his homestead running.
He developed a reputation for being able to fix anything, from broken-down engines to farming equipment. This hands-on approach has been a key part of his career, as he continues to apply his mechanical expertise to manage his farm and ensure its survival in a remote and challenging environment.
Farming and Ranching
Alongside his mechanical skills, Otto has built a successful career as a rancher and farmer. Over the years, he has raised cattle on his homestead, focusing on sustainable farming practices. Otto is dedicated to providing his family with healthy, grass-fed beef, while also ensuring that his farm operates in a self-sufficient manner.
His work as a rancher is not only about raising animals but about maintaining an eco-friendly, independent lifestyle that avoids reliance on outside resources. His commitment to self-sufficiency has been central to his professional journey.
Television Success
Otto’s career took a new direction when he joined the cast of Discovery Channel’s Alaska: The Last Frontier. The reality show, which follows the Kilcher family as they live off the land, gave Otto a platform to show his expertise in mechanics, ranching, and survival.
His problem-solving abilities, along with his calm and practical approach to the challenges of living without modern amenities, made him a fan favorite. Through the show, Otto has gained national recognition and continues to share his knowledge and passion for self-sufficient living with a wide audience.
His time on the show has only solidified his status as an expert in homesteading and sustainable living. His professional journey is a reflection of his lifelong dedication to practical skills, self-reliance, and a deep connection to the land.
Otto Kilcher Net Worth
Otto Kilcher has an estimated net worth of $5 million as of 2025. He makes money primarily through his work as a rancher, farmer, and mechanic. His homestead in Alaska provides him with the resources to sustain himself and his family, while also allowing him to sell products like grass-fed beef from his cattle.
The sale of these products, along with maintaining his homestead, helps generate income. Additionally, Otto earns money through his role on the Discovery Channel’s Alaska: The Last Frontier. As a prominent figure on the show, Otto receives compensation for his participation.
Otto Kilcher Wife
Otto Kilcher has been married three times. His first marriage was to Olga Von Ziegesar, but their relationship ended in divorce, and they did not have any children together. He later married Sharon McKemie, with whom he had two sons, Levi and Eivin Kilcher. Their marriage eventually ended as well.
Otto’s current and long-time wife is Charlotte Kilcher, a wildlife biologist originally from Northern California. The couple met in the late 1980s during the Exxon Valdez oil spill cleanup in Alaska, where Charlotte was working as a biologist.
They bonded over their shared love for nature and sustainable living. They got married on June 26, 1994, and have been together for over 30 years. Charlotte fully embraced the homesteading lifestyle and learned to live off the land in remote Alaska.
She faced many challenges and adjusted to the hard conditions. Her daily work included farming, caring for animals, and managing household tasks. Together, they have a son named August, and Charlotte brought a son from a previous relationship named Torrey into the family, whom Otto helped raise.
Otto Kilcher Children
Otto Kilcher has four sons three biological and one step-son who play an important role in continuing the Kilcher family’s homesteading legacy in Alaska.
Each of his children has been raised with a deep respect for nature, hard work, and self-sufficiency. They also appear on the reality show Alaska: The Last Frontier.
Levi Kilcher
Levi is Otto’s eldest biological son from his second marriage to Sharon McKemie. Unlike some of his siblings, Levi chose a more academic and scientific path. He is a highly educated individual and holds a Ph.D. in physics. Levi works in the field of renewable energy and oceanography.
While he does not appear on the show as frequently as his brothers, he occasionally returns to the homestead and contributes his expertise when needed. Levi’s life blends science and sustainability, values that align with the Kilcher family philosophy.
Eivin Kilcher
Eivin is Otto’s second son with Sharon McKemie and is one of the most well-known members of the Kilcher family. He lives close to the original homestead with his wife, Eve, and their children. Eivin is known for his resourcefulness, strong work ethic, and adventurous spirit.
He is highly skilled in hunting, fishing, farming, and mechanics traits he learned from his father. On Alaska: The Last Frontier, Eivin often appears working side-by-side with Otto, building equipment, repairing tools, and helping manage the land. His wife, Eve, is an expert in growing food, and together they live a life deeply connected to nature.
August Kilcher
August is Otto’s youngest biological son from his marriage to Charlotte Kilcher. He grew up on the homestead and has spent most of his life learning how to survive in the harsh Alaskan wilderness.
August has appeared on the show since he was a teenager, often helping his father with machinery, farming, and livestock. He is curious, hands-on, and deeply committed to preserving his family’s way of life.
Though he briefly left the homestead to explore college and city life, he returned to contribute to the family legacy, bringing with him a fresh perspective and a strong sense of purpose.
Torrey (Step-Son)
Torrey is Charlotte Kilcher’s son from a previous relationship, making him Otto’s step-son. While not Otto’s biological child, Torrey is considered a full part of the Kilcher family. Otto helped raise Torrey from a young age, and he was included in all aspects of homestead life.
Though Torrey doesn’t appear on Alaska: The Last Frontier as often as his stepbrothers, he is still an important part of the family and contributes when needed. Torrey shares the same appreciation for nature and practical skills that the Kilchers are known for.
Otto Kilcher Grandchildren
Otto Kilcher is a proud grandfather to three grandchildren. His son Eivin Kilcher and daughter-in-law Eve Kilcher have two children, Findlay Farenorth Kilcher and Sparrow Rose Kilcher.
Findlay is the older of the two and has been seen on the show learning the basics of homestead life from a young age. He is often shown helping with small tasks like gardening or feeding animals, always under the watchful eyes of his parents and grandfather.
Sparrow, the youngest, also appears on the show. While still very young, she is being raised in the same tradition of living close to nature, surrounded by animals, gardens, and the unique challenges of Alaskan life.
Otto’s other son, Levi Kilcher, has at least one child as well, although Levi keeps much of his personal life private and off-camera. As a result, not many details about Levi’s child are shared publicly, but it is known that Otto values time with all of his grandchildren, whether on-screen or away from the cameras.
Social Media Presence
Otto Kilcher is active on social media, primarily on Instagram and Facebook, where he shares glimpses of his life on the Alaskan homestead. His posts feature behind-the-scenes moments from Alaska: The Last Frontier, family activities, and his homesteading projects.
Otto Kilcher Height and Weight
Otto Kilcher stands at a height of 6 feet 2 inches which is eqaul to 188 centimeters or 1.88 meters. His tall stature is often seen as an asset when working on the rugged Alaskan homestead, where strength and endurance are key.
As for his weight, Otto is reported to weigh around 90 kilograms which is equal to 198 pounds. This weight aligns with his active lifestyle and the strenuous work he does on a daily basis in the wilderness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Otto Kilcher’s life shows the value of hard work and self-reliance. Through his role on Alaska: The Last Frontier, his skills as a mechanic, and his focus on living sustainably, Otto has become an admired figure.
His ability to face the challenges of life in Alaska inspires many. Otto’s story teaches the importance of being adaptable and working hard, no matter how tough things get.
That’s all about his journey! Feel free to share your feedback and opinions below.
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