Pat Robertson — founder of Christian Broadcasting Network and Christian Coalition — dies at 93

Pat Robertson — founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network and the Christian Coalition — has died at the age of 93.

What are the details?

"With great sadness, we announce that Dr. M.G. 'Pat' Robertson has gone home to be with his Lord and Savior today, June 8, 2023," CBN said in Facebook statement. "Thank you for your prayers for the Robertson family and the ministry of CBN at this time."

The network noted in a tribute that Robertson died in his Virginia Beach home early Thursday morning. Robertson is survived by four children, 14 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren, the Christian Post said.

Born on March 22, 1930, Robertson earned a bachelor of arts magna cum laude from Washington and Lee University in 1950, a juris doctor degree from Yale University Law School in 1955, and a master of divinity from New York Theological Seminary in 1959, the Post said.

Robertson was a U.S. Marines reservist and was sent to Korea during the war, where he served at a headquarters a few miles from the front, the outlet also said.

He was married to Adelia Elmer in 1954 until her death in 2022, the outlet said, adding that they had four children.

Robertson founded CBN in 1960 as a local television station in Portsmouth, Virginia, and it eventually would broadcast globally, the Post said, adding that CBN's flagship program, "The 700 Club," has remained a fixture on TV to this day.

In 1977, Robertson founded Regent University in Virginia Beach, serving as its president and chancellor for many years, the outlet noted, adding that he founded International Family Entertainment, Inc. in 1990, which became the Fox Family Channel — and then ABC Family when Disney acquired it in 2001.

Robertson in 1986 announced his intention to seek the Republican presidential nomination, the Post said, but he eventually lost out to George H.W. Bush, who went on to win the 1988 election. An ordained Southern Baptist minister, Robertson had his ordination vows terminated when he ran for president, the outlet added.

In 1987, Robertson founded conservative political advocacy organization the Christian Coalition, the outlet said, adding that he also helped found conservative legal firm the American Center for Law & Justice in 1990.

More from the Christian Post:

As a public figure who frequently commented on social issues, religion and politics, Robertson often garnered backlash for making provocative remarks, especially while host of "The 700 Club."

Two days after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, Robertson invited Rev. Jerry Falwell on "The 700 Club." When Falwell blamed 9/11 on America's growing acceptance of socially liberal ideas, Robertson replied, "I totally concur."

Soon after the broadcast aired, Robertson released a statement clarifying that "no one other than the terrorists and the people and nations who have enabled and harbored them responsible for [the] attacks on this nation."

In 2010 after a devastating earthquake hit Haiti, Robertson blamed the disaster on the Caribbean nation's acceptance of Voodoo and an alleged pact with the devil made at the time of their founding.

"And they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, 'We will serve you if you will get us free from the French.' True story. And so the devil said, 'OK, it's a deal,'" stated Robertson.

During the 2010s, Robertson endorsed decriminalizing marijuana, [and] once argued that people married to those suffering from Alzheimer's were allowed to divorce them because of the illness. He also suggested that the United States should assassinate Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez, which he later apologized for.

In August 2017, Robertson was hospitalized following a fall from a horse, the Post said, adding that he suffered minor injuries and was back to hosting "The 700 Club" later that month.

He suffered an embolic stroke in 2018, the outlet noted, and was hospitalized for a couple of days and then returned to host the program later that month.

Robertson on Oct. 1, 2021 — as part of the 60th anniversary of "The 700 Club" — announced he was stepping down as regular lead host of the program after 55 years.

'A Visionary, a Dreamer... Whose Message Was the Gospel': Pat Robertson Dies at 93youtu.be

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