Nick Pope, best known for running the British government’s UFO project, has died. His wife, Elizabeth Weiss shared the news of his demise on X. Pope would have been around 60-61 years of age.
Nick Pope and his wife Elizabeth Weiss are seen here. The latter announced Pope’s passing on X. (X/@nickpopemod)
“My heart is breaking — Nick (@nickpopemod) passed away this afternoon at our home,” she wrote. “The last few weeks of his life, even as he suffered, he managed to do a few interviews from home. I was so lucky to have met and to have married Nick. He was a wonderful husband. I loved him dearly,” Weiss added, sharing a photo of the two together.
Nick Pope cause of death
An exact cause of death for Pope was not provided. However, his wife indicated that demise came after suffering in the last few weeks. This appears to be a reference to the advanced esophageal cancer diagnosis.
On February 12, 2026, Pope announced he’d been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer.
“A while ago, following some digestive issues, I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Unfortunately, it’s Stage 4 and has metastasized to my liver. While I know that it’s kindness and hope that leads people to suggest healers and supposed miracle cures, and to say things like “fight it”, and “you can beat it”, I’m afraid my diagnosis and my situation leaves no doubt whatsoever: I can’t beat it,” he had written.
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“What an amazing adventure I’ve had! A 21-year career at the UK Ministry of Defense, where I got involved in subjects ranging from financial policy to counter-terrorism; from military policing to UAP. And I saved six cows; it’s a long story! The things I’ve done; the places I’ve been; the people I’ve met; and the secrets I’ve been privy to. I wouldn’t have swapped it for the world. And then a second career, where my previous government UAP role brought me to the attention of the world’s media, leading me to become a regular commentator on TV news shows and documentaries, as well as consulting and acting as spokesperson on various UFO and alien-themed movies, TV series and video games. The media called me the real Fox Mulder!,” he added.
Pope continued, “The true highlight, of course, is life with my wonderful, beautiful and incredibly smart wife, Elizabeth. She’s a real-life Agent Scully: a scientist, a skeptic and a redhead. We met randomly in the lobby bar of the Fairmont Hotel in downtown San José (she was an anthropology professor at San José State University) in October 2010 and got married 3 months later. We applied successfully for my Green Card and she had me shipped over and imported to the U.S., where a new adventure began, as Elizabeth and I enjoyed wildlife watching at our wonderful home in Tucson, desert hikes, film noir, true crime, country music, Sunday lunches with my in-laws, and much more besides. Recently, we had an amazing one-year adventure in New York City, living 5 minutes from Times Square, and having a wonderful view of the Empire State Building from our apartment window. We proofread each other’s books and articles (I love commas, hyphens and exclamation points way more than Elizabeth, and managed to win at least a few of those battles), and I’m supporting her in her ongoing fight for free speech, academic freedom, and keeping political correctness, superstition and identity politics out of science and academia. The White House Press Secretary Tweeted one of her recent newspaper articles, which shows the huge impact she’s having.”
“I kept working for as long as I could (right up until last week), with my various film/TV interviews, conference appearances, and live events, including my position as moderator of Ancient Aliens Live – where I think I did 94 shows. Sadly, the time has come where I’ve had to step away from this work. A lot of people have followed my work on UAP. I’m loath to use the word “fans”, because I’m not a celebrity. But I am a public figure, and many people have followed me on my journey as I’ve sought to keep the UAP subject in the public eye, and to frame it as a defense, national security and safety of flight issue – as well as a fascinating science problem. Some of this work has been public knowledge, but some such work, of necessity, has been done behind the scenes. I hope I’ve helped move the needle forward. But most people, of course, know me through my media interviews and live events. To everyone who’s followed me on my journey, thank you – and good luck with your own journeys. I wish you every success and happiness,” he also said.
Pope concluded, “It’s all been amazing, and I’m grateful for the things I’ve done, not mournful for the things that I won’t now get to do. Per Aspera Ad Astra!”. The post was made from Tucson, Arizona, Pope indicated.
Who is Nick Pope? 5 things to knowPope has been a regular guest on Ancient Aliens, History Channel’s longest-running series.He is also an English media commentator, author, and former civil servant.Pope was employed by the British Government’s Ministry of Defence (MoD), and ran the UFO desk.While Pope is from the UK, he moved to the US in 2012, where he married American anthropologist, Weiss.Pope has authored books like Open Skies, Closed Minds, which showed his interest in ufology or the investigation and study of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs), now sometimes termed as Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP).Nick Pope: Wife, family, net worth
Pope and Weiss got married in 2011. She is Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at San Jose State University. Weiss is also a National Association of Scholars Board Member.
She and Pope tied the knot in 2011. Pope was speaking at the International UFO Congress in Scottsdale, Arizona when he decided to tie the knot. He and Weiss had been dating for about ‘16 weeks’ beforehand, Pope had shared.
Weiss had replied lovingly, “When you know you met the right one, there’s no need to wait!”.
Pope’s exact net worth is not a matter of public record. However, during his heyday, his Ancient Aliens Live show usually sold out, and ticket prices were between $39 and almost $200, Financial Times reported. Apart from this Pope would have earned from his guest appearances on tv shows, books, and from his work with the British government. His net worth is likely to be in the millions, though there is no official confirmation of the same.