Otto Kilcher Wiki/Bio, Age, Net Worth, Life After Alaska The Last Frontier

For Otto Kilcher, living off the grid in Alaska has never been about escape or adventure—it’s simply home. Born into one of the state’s pioneering homesteading families, Otto was raised near Homer, Alaska, on a remote expanse of land shaped by labor, ingenuity, and tradition. Over the years, he became a self-taught mechanic, a skilled livestock handler, and the family’s go-to problem solver. His practical know-how and calm presence eventually earned him national recognition through Alaska: The Last Frontier, the Discovery Channel reality series that followed the Kilcher family’s way of life.

But Otto’s story didn’t end when the cameras stopped rolling. What came after is a chapter still unfolding—off-camera, personal, and shaped by the same values that have always defined him. His private life, including past marriages and his long-standing partnership with Charlotte Kilcher, a fellow homesteader and biologist, continues to reflect the quiet strength and self-reliance viewers came to admire. The details of this next chapter are ones we’ll uncover further ahead.

In the article that follows, we trace Otto Kilcher’s journey—from a childhood spent hauling water and fixing tools to a national television presence, and into a life that continues in quieter but equally meaningful ways.

Early Life and CHildhood in Alaska

Otto Kilcher was born on April 21, 1952, in Homer, Alaska, into one of the state’s earliest homesteading families. His parents, Yule and Ruth Kilcher, were Swiss immigrants who arrived in Alaska during the 1940s, driven by a shared desire to live sustainably and independently. The couple established a 640-acre homestead overlooking Kachemak Bay—a rugged, remote parcel of land that would become both their refuge and legacy. Otto was the sixth of eight children raised in this off-grid environment.

Life on the Kilcher homestead was rooted in self-reliance. Otto and his siblings—Atz, Fay, Catkin, Stellavera, Mossy, Sunrise, and Wurtilla—were expected to contribute from an early age. With no electricity, indoor plumbing, or nearby infrastructure, the Kilcher children were expected to contribute from an early age. Otto and his siblings were accustomed to carrying water manually, chopping firewood, constructing fences for livestock, and enduring sub-zero temperatures in a small cabin during long winters. During Alaska’s brief summers, they worked together to gather hay, dig root cellars, smoke fish, and help build outbuildings from salvaged lumber. They learned to care for animals from a young age—milking cows before dawn, assisting with calving, and collecting eggs in deep winter snow. The family also foraged for wild berries, preserved food for winter storage, and relied on sleds or horses to traverse the snowy landscape.

Otto, in particular, showed an early fascination with tools and machinery. He was known for salvaging broken equipment and repurposing discarded parts, honing mechanical skills that would later define his adult life. While his siblings explored musical and artistic pursuits, Otto developed a reputation as the homestead’s practical problem-solver—often engineering fixes for broken tools, wagon wheels, and generators long before formal training.

The family’s lifestyle was shaped by both necessity and philosophy. Yule Kilcher, Otto’s father, was a homesteader, filmmaker, and later a delegate to Alaska’s pre-statehood constitutional convention. He also served in the Alaska State Senate from 1963 to 1967. His worldview emphasized resilience, civic responsibility, and environmental stewardship.

Otto’s mother, Ruth Kilcher, was a writer, poet, and educator who balanced homesteading with music and literature. She came to Alaska in 1941 at age 21, drawn by a vision of living close to the land. Ruth valued the natural world and often expressed that connection through songs and poems. In the evenings, she led the family in harmonies that filled their cabin with sound and helped them unwind after a long day. The Kilchers often sang Swiss folk songs, hymns, and verses Ruth wrote herself—music that helped pass time and bring the family together. Although she left the homestead in 1970, Ruth’s influence remained a strong part of Otto’s early life, shaping his values through daily routines, shared traditions, and a lasting sense of connection.

Career and Progression Beyond Television

Before Otto Kilcher became known to television audiences, he had already built a career rooted in mechanical skill and problem-solving. As a machinist and mechanic, he began his work on the Kilcher homestead, handling farm equipment and machinery with limited resources. In his early years, Otto also worked in a logging camp—an experience that added to his hands-on expertise with heavy equipment and the practical demands of frontier living.

He later founded and led two businesses: Coastal Freight & Salvage, Inc., which specialized in inland water freight transportation since 1993, and Apex Gear & Hydraulic, Inc., where he served as president. These ventures reflected his deep knowledge of logistics, hydraulics, and repair work, particularly involving boats and rural freight systems.

Among his many responsibilities, Otto also manages livestock transport across Kachemak Bay—most notably moving horses using the family boat, the Nanuk. He oversees the marine logistics, often in coordination with Charlotte, who manages the land-based side of the operation.

Otto remained active in local agriculture as well, rising from director to chairman of the Fox River Cattleman’s Association, where he supported cattle operations and land stewardship in the Homer area.

Television Career: Alaska: The Last Frontier

Otto Kilcher is not only a skilled mechanic and homesteader but also a familiar face to viewers of the long-running Discovery Channel series Alaska: The Last Frontier. The show, which premiered in 2011, follows the Kilcher family as they live off the land near Homer, Alaska, relying on self-sufficiency, traditional skills, and community to survive in a remote and often unforgiving environment.

Otto joined the series alongside his older brother Atz Kilcher and other members of the extended Kilcher family. Over the course of the show’s run, Otto became known for his mechanical skill and ability to maintain essential equipment using salvaged parts. His role was central to the homestead’s operation, including machinery repair, livestock management, and infrastructure maintenance.

Some of Otto’s practical highlights featured on the show include snowplow and tractor repairs, the setup of a homemade hydraulic water pump, and coordinating cattle movements. His segments frequently focused on day-to-day problem-solving and preparation for seasonal changes.

Though the series has not been officially renewed since 2022, Otto appeared in over 105 episodes. His contributions helped establish the show’s tone and content, which focused on practical skills and daily life on a working homestead.

One of the more serious incidents involving Otto was described in Season 7, Episode 1. According to the episode, Otto had been assisting with a cattle roundup at the head of the bay when he was reportedly struck by a cow, fell onto an alder stump, and was then pinned as the cow rolled over him. The impact resulted in multiple rib fractures. Due to the remote location and winter conditions, paramedics were delayed, and Otto was carried across a snowy slope by family and responders to reach a vehicle. From there, he was transported to a location where he could be airlifted to a trauma center in Anchorage. He later underwent surgery to plate four ribs. The episode presents the logistical challenges of the situation and documents his return home and recovery process.

Life After Alaska: The Last Frontier

Though Alaska: The Last Frontier has not aired new episodes since 2022, Otto Kilcher continues to live and work on the family homestead near Homer, Alaska. His lifestyle remains rooted in the same values the show portrayed: self-sufficiency, mechanical ingenuity, and a deep connection to the land.

In the years following the show’s pause, Otto has remained active through various personal projects. He launched a YouTube channel, sharing updates from the homestead, equipment maintenance demonstrations, and repair tutorials. These videos extend the practical knowledge and rural problem-solving skills that audiences came to appreciate during his television run.

One notable venture is the peony field located on the historic Kilcher Homestead, which Otto and his wife Charlotte established around 2009. Starting with 400 plants, Charlotte now maintains about 200 productive peony plants, selling the flowers locally and to buyers in the lower 48 states. She is a member of the Alaska Beauty Peony Co-op and manages the operation independently, while Otto assists with building infrastructure, operating machinery, and fixing equipment when needed.

In addition to the flower operation, Charlotte runs a cattle program with more than 40 head, including around 25 mother cows. Her seasonal responsibilities also involve transporting horses across Kachemak Bay—a task that once involved a pontoon barge but has since transitioned to safer methods using trailers and the family boat, following a previous near-miss in high surf.

Otto Kilcher Marriages and Children

Otto Kilcher has been married multiple times and is the father of three biological sons. His first marriage was to Olga Von Ziegesar, which ended in divorce. He later married Sharon Mackie, with whom he had two sons: Levi Kilcher and Eivin Kilcher. Eivin has carried on the homesteading lifestyle and is also a well-known figure from Alaska: The Last Frontier, appearing alongside his wife Eve and their children.

Otto’s third and current marriage is to Charlotte Kilcher, a wildlife biologist originally from Northern California. The two met in 1989 while working on the cleanup of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Charlotte had a son named Torrey from a previous relationship, whom Otto helped raise. Together, Otto and Charlotte have one son, August Kilcher, who has also appeared on the show and worked alongside his father on the homestead.

Net Worth and Ventures

Otto Kilcher’s income comes from various sources, including Alaska: The Last Frontier, livestock operations, and homestead-based activities. Alongside his wife Charlotte, he supports a peony farm and participates in guest experiences at Bear Cove Retreat. Their combined net worth is estimated between $1.5 and $2 million as of 2025.

Wiki/Bio Facts Table

Full Name	Edwin Otto Kilcher
Other Name	Otto Kilcher
Birthdate	April 21, 1952
Age	72 years old
Birthplace	Homer, Alaska, United States
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	Swiss
Parents	Yule Kilcher, Ruth Weber
Gender	Male
Sexuality	Straight
Gay(Yes/No)	No
Siblings	Atz Kilcher,  Mossy Kilcher, Stellavera Kilcher, Sunrise Sjoeberg, Wurtilla Hepp, Fay Graham
Highschool	N/A
Education	N/A
Profession	Reality Television Personality, Homesteader, Mechanic, Business Owner
Net Worth (est)	$1.5- $2 M
Marital Status	Married
Wife	Charlotte Kilcher(present)
First Wife	Olga Von Ziegesar
Second Wife	Sharon Mckemie
Children	Eivin Kilcher, Levi Kilcher, August Kilcher, and Torrey Short(stepson)
Height	5 feet 10 inches (about)
Social Media Handle	Instagram, Facebook