Pat Robertson was an American religious broadcaster, televangelist and Republican presidential candidate who founded the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) and hosted its flagship program, The 700 Club, for decades. He also founded Regent University and the Christian Coalition, an advocacy group that helped cement evangelical Christians as a core part of the Republican coalition. He died on June 8, 2023, at his home in Virginia Beach at age 93. He remains a widely admired figure to supporters and a deeply controversial one to critics.
Who Was Pat Robertson?
Marion Gordon “Pat” Robertson built a media and educational empire from a single failing television station. CBN described him as a longtime TV host, religious broadcaster, educator, humanitarian and one-time presidential candidate. Beyond television, his enterprises included Regent University, the American Center for Law and Justice, Operation Blessing, an international humanitarian group, and International Family Entertainment.
How Old Was Pat Robertson?
He was born on March 22, 1930, in Lexington, Virginia, and died on June 8, 2023, at age 93. If he were alive in October 2026, he would be 96.
Early Life and Family Background
Robertson was the son of A. Willis Robertson, who represented Virginia in both the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate, and who was a staunch opponent of civil rights, according to the Daily Beast. CBN’s official biography says he was a descendant of Virginia governor Benjamin Harrison and was related to U.S. presidents William Henry Harrison and Benjamin Harrison.
Education and Military Service
He graduated from Washington and Lee University and then served as an assistant adjutant of the 1st Marine Division during the Korean War. He later earned a law degree from Yale and trained for the ministry. He became an ordained Southern Baptist minister in the early 1960s. Please confirm the law and seminary details against a primary biography, since the sources I fetched confirm only his Washington and Lee degree and Marine service.
How Did Pat Robertson Start His Ministry?
In 1960 he bought a bankrupt UHF television station in Virginia, which became the Christian Broadcasting Network. He said God told him to begin a television ministry. The station struggled financially, and he held a telethon asking 700 viewers to pledge $10 a month. That group gave the flagship program its name, The 700 Club.
Career and Major Achievements
The 700 Club grew into a daily talk show that mixed religious news, political commentary and light entertainment, and Robertson is credited with bringing a secular talk-show format to religious television. He hosted it for more than half a century, stepping down as regular lead host in 2021 after 55 years, and handing the role to his son Gordon. He continued to appear occasionally.
In 1977 he founded Regent University in Virginia Beach, originally known as CBN University, with classes beginning in 1978. By 2023 CBN said it had more than 30,000 alumni. He also founded the American Center for Law and Justice, a legal organization that defends the First Amendment rights of religious people, and Operation Blessing.
Political Career
Robertson sought the Republican presidential nomination in 1988, taking a break from his show during the campaign. He finished behind then-Vice President George H.W. Bush and Senator Bob Dole, according to news coverage of his death. He then built the Christian Coalition, an organization that mobilized conservative Christian voters in the 1990s. The sources I found differ on the date, with some saying 1987 and the AP saying 1989, so check this before publishing. Working with activist Ralph Reed, he promoted conservative Christian candidates and traditional values, and he resigned as president of the Christian Coalition in 2001 to focus on ministry.
Controversies
Robertson often made headlines for provocative statements about LGBTQ+ people, Muslims and Democrats, according to Virginia Business. One of the most widely criticized moments came after the September 11, 2001 attacks, when his guest Jerry Falwell blamed groups including “pagans, abortionists, feminists” and gays and lesbians on his show; Robertson was criticized for his reaction. In 2010 he said on the air that marijuana should be legalized and treated like alcohol. Please add sourced detail on other controversies, such as his 2010 remarks after the Haiti earthquake, if your editorial policy requires a full account.
Personal Life and Family
Robertson was married for 67 years to Adelia “Dede” Robertson, who died in 2022 at age 94. They had four children, including Gordon Robertson, who succeeded him as lead host of The 700 Club. WPTV reported that he had 14 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. He suffered a stroke in 2018, and appeared on the show again ten days later.
Net Worth
No reliable, documented figure is available, and the value of his organizations is not the same as his personal wealth. None is given here.
Legacy and Influence
Robertson helped turn religious broadcasting into a major media industry and helped make evangelical Christians a central voting bloc in the Republican Party. The AP said the Christian Coalition helped cement that alliance. His institutions, including CBN, Regent University and the ACLJ, continue to operate, though his legacy remains divisive because of the controversies above.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pat Robertson
Who was Pat Robertson?
He was the founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network and longtime host of The 700 Club.
When did Pat Robertson die?
He died on June 8, 2023, at his home in Virginia Beach, at age 93. No cause was announced.
What did Pat Robertson found?
CBN, Regent University, the Christian Coalition, the American Center for Law and Justice, Operation Blessing and International Family Entertainment.
Did Pat Robertson run for president?
Yes. He sought the Republican nomination in 1988.
Who was Pat Robertson’s wife?
He was married to Dede Robertson, who died in 2022.
Who took over The 700 Club?
His son, Gordon Robertson, who became lead host in 2021.
What was Pat Robertson’s net worth?
No reliable figure is available.