Dannion Brinkley claims to have returned from death not once but thrice—and what he saw each time challenges everything we think we know about dying.

New York:
Death is often considered life’s final mystery—an experience so absolute that its secrets remain locked away. But what if someone crossed over, not once, but three times, and lived to tell the tale?

Dannion Brinkley, a 74-year-old American man, claims to have died and come back to life three times. His story offers a haunting yet hopeful glimpse into what lies beyond the final breath—and it’s nothing like most people imagine.

His first death: struck by lightning

In 1975, Brinkley was speaking on the phone during a thunderstorm when a lightning strike hit a nearby telephone pole. The current surged through the line, electrocuting him. He was pronounced clinically dead for 28 minutes.

“I went through a dark tunnel, and then I was surrounded by light,” he said. “I was shown my entire life in vivid detail—as if every decision and its ripple effect were laid bare.”

Brinkley describes this as a life review, where he not only witnessed his actions but also felt the emotional consequences of them on others. After the experience, he was suddenly pulled back into his body.

Second death: during open heart surgery

Brinkley’s second near-death experience occurred in 1989 during open-heart surgery. This time, he said, he found himself in what he calls a “glass city”—a heavenly realm where he met celestial beings.

“There were angelic figures who told me about my soul's purpose,” he said. “They taught me how to use my spiritual and mental gifts to help others.”

Third death: during brain surgery

The third encounter with death came during a complex brain surgery. Again, Brinkley claims to have entered the same realm of peace and light, reinforcing his belief that the afterlife is a place of understanding—not fear.

"Death isn’t what we think"

Now a motivational speaker and author of the book “Saved by the Light,” Brinkley shares his experiences to help others overcome their fear of death.

“People think death is painful or terrifying,” he said. “But I’ve died three times—and I can tell you with certainty: it’s not the end, and it’s not what we think it is. It’s a journey, and there’s much more waiting for us on the other side.”