Pat Robertson

Marion Gordon “Pat” Robertson (March 22, 1930–June 8, 2023) was an American religious broadcaster, minister, author, educator, and political figure. He founded the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), which began broadcasting from Virginia in 1961, and became widely known as the longtime host of The 700 Club. His work helped establish television as a major vehicle for evangelical Christian programming in the United States and internationally.

Robertson studied at Washington and Lee University, served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve during the Korean War, earned a law degree from Yale Law School, and received a Master of Divinity from New York Theological Seminary. Beyond CBN, he helped establish Regent University, Operation Blessing, the American Center for Law and Justice, and other media, educational, relief, and advocacy organizations. He also sought the Republican nomination for U.S. president in 1988 and later led the Christian Coalition of America.

A prolific writer on Christian faith and public life, Robertson’s books included Miracles Can Be Yours Today: Believing God for Your Greatest Needs, a work addressing miracles, prayer, and faith through biblical examples and personal testimony.

His recognitions included Christian Broadcaster of the Year from the National Religious Broadcasters in 1989 and the Distinction in Ministry Award from New York Theological Seminary in 2009. In 2011, he was a joint recipient of the satirical Ig Nobel Prize in Physics, awarded for predictions about the end of the world. Robertson died at his home in Virginia Beach, Virginia, aged 93.