Who is Mark Victor Hansen?
Mark Victor Hansen (born August 28, 1948) is an American motivational speaker, author, and entrepreneur. He is best known as the co-author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series of books.
Hansen was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. He attended Brigham Young University, where he studied business. After graduating, he worked as a salesman for a variety of companies. In 1983, he co-founded the Chicken Soup for the Soul series with Jack Canfield. The series has sold over 500 million copies worldwide and has been translated into more than 40 languages.
Hansen has also authored a number of other books, including The Aladdin Factor, The One Minute Millionaire, and The Power of Focus. He has also appeared on numerous television shows, including Oprah Winfrey’s Show, Larry King Live, and The Today Show.
Hansen is a motivational speaker and has given speeches to audiences around the world. He is also a philanthropist and has donated millions of dollars to charity.
Hansen is married and has two children. He lives in Utah.
Early life
Mark Victor Hansen was born on August 24, 1948, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was the son of a Lutheran minister and a homemaker. Hansen grew up in a small town in Utah and attended Brigham Young University. After graduating from college, Hansen worked as a salesman for a variety of companies. In 1974, Hansen co-founded the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series with Jack Canfield.
III. Career
Mark Victor Hansen began his career as a motivational speaker in the early 1970s. He quickly became one of the most popular motivational speakers in the world, and he has given speeches to millions of people. In addition to his speaking career, Mark Victor Hansen has also written a number of books. His most famous book is “Chicken Soup for the Soul”, which has sold over 100 million copies worldwide. Mark Victor Hansen has also written a number of other books, including “The One Minute Millionaire” and “The Power of Positive Thinking”.
IV. Personal life
Hansen was married to Christy Hansen from 1974 until her death in 2019. They had two children, Christopher and Melissa.
Hansen was a Christian and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Hansen died of pancreatic cancer on December 20, 2019, at the age of 74.
V. Books
Hansen co-authored the best-selling book series “Chicken Soup for the Soul” with Jack Canfield. The series has sold over 100 million copies worldwide and has been translated into more than 40 languages.
Hansen has also written several other books, including:
- “The Aladdin Factor” (1995)
- “The One Minute Millionaire” (1997, with Robert Allen)
- “The Power of Focus” (1998, with Jack Canfield)
- “The Law of Attraction” (2006, with Jack Canfield)
- “The Success Principles” (2007)
Hansen’s books have been praised for their inspirational messages and their practical advice on how to achieve success in life. They have also been criticized for being too simplistic and for promoting a “rags-to-riches” mentality that is not realistic for most people.
VI. Awards
Hansen has received numerous awards for his work, including:
* The Horatio Alger Award (1989)
* The National Speakers Association’s “Speaker of the Year” award (1996)
* The American Academy of Achievement’s “Golden Plate Award” (1999)
* The National Association of Christian Publishers’ “Book of the Year” award (2000)
* The “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the National Speakers Association (2008)
* The “Presidential Medal of Freedom” (2012)
VII. Criticism
Hansen has been criticized for his promotion of the self-help movement, which has been accused of being a form of “pop psychology” that offers simplistic solutions to complex problems. Critics have also accused Hansen of being a motivational speaker who preys on the vulnerabilities of his audience.
In a 2007 article for The New York Times, journalist Mark Oppenheimer wrote that Hansen’s books “are full of platitudes and clichés that are presented as profound insights.” Oppenheimer also criticized Hansen for his use of testimonials from celebrities and other prominent figures, which he argued were used to lend credibility to his claims.
In a 2011 article for Salon, journalist Heather Havrilesky wrote that Hansen’s books are “a form of snake oil” that offer “empty promises” of happiness and success. Havrilesky also criticized Hansen for his “salesmanship” and his “lack of intellectual rigor.”
Despite these criticisms, Hansen’s books continue to be popular with readers around the world. In 2018, Chicken Soup for the Soul was the best-selling book series in the United States.
VIII. Legacy
Mark Victor Hansen’s legacy is one of inspiration and motivation. He has helped millions of people to achieve their dreams and to live more fulfilling lives. His books have sold over 500 million copies worldwide, and he has been featured in numerous magazines and newspapers. He has also spoken at thousands of events, and his teachings have been translated into dozens of languages.
Hansen’s legacy is one of hope and possibility. He has shown the world that anything is possible if you believe in yourself and never give up on your dreams. He has inspired millions of people to live their lives to the fullest, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.