Holy Millions: The Richest Celebrity Preachers In The World
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Highlights
- Many celebrity pastors, like Kenneth Copeland and T.D. Jakes, have a higher net worth than famous musicians and actors.
- Some pastors, like Joel Osteen, have strong connections with celebrities and have achieved fame and fortune through televangelism.
- The wealth of these pastors raises questions about whether they are genuinely serving their congregations or using their positions to enrich themselves.
We often pore over the lavish and luxe lifestyles of celebrities in Hollywood and the music industry, and tend to think such a position is only reserved for platinum-selling artists or actors on the silver screen.
But that couldn't be further from the truth. Would you believe that there are church pastors who have a greater net worth than 50 Cent and Cardi B combined?
There are gospel preachers with a net worth in excess of $150 million, which is how much Nicki Minaj is worth as of late 2023.
This opulence causes many to question whether these pastors are feeding their sheep, or fleecing the flock; critics deem them among the "shadiest mega-pastors," alleging they "take your money" to fund heavenly lifestyles.
Updated, December 2023: Rev. John Hagee, one of the celebrity preachers on this list, was in the news cycle in late November, following his controversial appearance and remarks at a massive rally in support of Israel in Washington, D.C.
Hagee's presence at the rally was controversial in part due to remarks he made in 2005, pertaining to the Holocaust and its perpetrators.
Hadar Susskind, president of Americans For Peace Now, was quoted by NBC News as saying:
"I am horrified that [Hagee] was given this platform. His history of hateful comments should disqualify him from decent company, much less from speaking on stage. He is not welcome and should not speak."
Prosperity preachers and mega-church pastors typically don't disclose the details of their fortunes (for obvious reasons), so estimates vary wildly between sources.
When possible, we've included the most up-to-date figures available with respect to mega-pastors and prosperity preachers' net worths.
Here are ten of the world's richest celebrity pastors.
Kenneth Copeland
Perhaps one of the most talked-about preachers - because of his lavish spending habits - is the Evangelical preacher Kenneth Copeland.
This man's success as a televangelist is unmatched, and boasts a 1500-acre campus ground for his Kenneth Copeland Ministries.
Copeland was heavily criticized for owning three luxurious private jets, which, in his defense, he says is necessary to "talk to God," because he didn't want to "get in a tube with a bunch of demons."
One of the aircraft is a Gulfstream V jet the Texas-based pastor purchased from actor and comedian Tyler Perry for $20 million.
With this momentum, there is a strong chance that many failed actors can find a thriving career in church ministry.
Kenneth Copeland's net worth is estimated at a staggering $760 million.
Bishop T.D. Jakes
T.D. Jakes has made guest appearances in movies with the world's richest celebrities, is an established author, movie producer, and the Bishop of the Potter's House International megachurch, which boasts a capacity of 30,000 members.
Sources have speculated the church's construction cost as much $45 million.
The wealthy pastor also owns 14,000 square feet of land in Forth Worth, Texas, as well as a $5.5 million mansion seated on 17.8 acres of land.
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Jakes even made it on the cover of Time Magazine as the best preacher in America, solidifying his celebrity status.
Estimates of Bishop T.D. Jakes' net worth vary tremendously between sources, ranging from $20 to $40 million.
Pat Robertson
In his 93 years of life, Pat Robertson accomplished enough for two lifetimes, all while wearing many hats in the process.
Before becoming a Southern Baptist minister, Robertson entered politics as a Republican presidential candidate, following in the tradition of his family.
He founded the first Christian television station in 1960, and was the long-running host of The 700 Club. In 1978, he founded the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN).
Both Christian broadcasting channels remain an integral part of Christian televangelism to this day. As a former US Presidental candidate, Robertson also created the Christian Coalition in 1987, which later became the Christian Coalition of America, which exists to give financial and public support to Christian political candidates.
As of 2021, Pat Robertson's net worth was estimated at around $100 million.
Robertson died on June 8th 2023.
Benny Hinn
Scandals always seem to follow mega-pastors, no matter which part of the world they come from.
Benny Hinn was born in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel, and has been recognized internationally for his purportedly miraculous healing powers, which always happen to be televised.
These alleged displays of God's healing power are known as "Miracle Crusades."
However, the revelation of Hinn's financial charge for these "healings and deliverances" landed him under scrutiny, as a "prosperity preacher," and for "selling the gospel for profit."
In April 2021, Hinn's church was taken to court by Mail America for an alleged $3.1 million in unpaid bills, which Hinn bdisputed.
Benny Hinn's net worth is believed to stand at around $60 million, while his ministry rakes in an estimated $100 million per year.
Jesse Duplantis
Touted as another financial giant in the world of prosperity preaching, Jesse Duplantis comfortably ranks on this list alongside the world's wealthiest men of faith.
Jesse Duplantis' net worth is estimated at around $20 million today, and he can afford to feed his entire congregation comfortably.
Duplantis is a preacher from the Christian Evangelical Charismatic tradition based in New Orleans.
He also established Jesse Duplantis Ministries, which he founded in 1978 - and which clocked an impressive $6.22 million in sales.
The New Orleans preacher owns a $3 million home on a 35,000 square foot plantation.
To compliment that, he also owns a $54 million private jet purchased with the help of his congregation, per a 2019 CNN report.
In it, Duplantis was quoted as saying:
I’m not asking you to pay for my plane ... The Lord said, ‘I didn’t ask you to pay for it, I asked you to believe for it.’ That is what I said. So I’m believing, and I want you to believe with me.
As such, Duplantis is among big-time celebrities like Taylor Swift who own their own private jets:
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Although he has never written or been cast in a movie, Joel Osteen is arguably the most celebrity-affiliated preacher there is, hands down.
He has, however, been the executive producer for religious films, such as Mary, Mother Of Christ (2012), and a documentary series entitled Jesus: His Life for the History Channel.
The Texas preacher is the owner, senior pastor, and main televangelist of Lakewood Church, along with his wife, Victoria Osteen.
With tens of millions of viewers in the United States and broadcasting to millions more in over 100 countries abroad, his televangelical prowess and success as an author have brought him fame as well as massive fortune.
Osteen has been closely connected with celebrities such as Kanye West, Mariah Carey, Tyler Perry, and Oprah Winfrey.
Joel Osteen's net worth is estimated at around $50 million.
Creflo Dollar
His name alone is enough to let you know that this man means business
Hailing from College Park, Georgia, Creflo Dollar is an established pastor, televangelist, and founder of the Christian World Changers Church International.
Creflo has amassed his fortune through multiple revenue streams, such as the publication of CHANGE Magazine and The Max, quarterly and bimonthly publications, respectively.
In addition, and similar to most other high-status preachers, he is a prolific author of books such as Claim Your Success Today, 8 Steps To Make The Life You Want, You're Supposed To Be Wealthy, and a library of other books mentoring his followers to become rich like himself.
Estimates of Creflo Dollar's net worth fluctuate, from $27 to $39 million.
Joyce Meyer
Regarded as one of the few female pastors to reach the levels of success she has, Joyce Meyer has made a definitive name for herself in the American Charismatic Christian community, especially among women.
Most of her wealth is derived from her self-authored books, her Life In The Term ministry, and her television show called Enjoying Everyday Life which began airing on WGN TV and BET in 1995.
She later founded Joyce Meyer Ministries, which spreads her teachings on Christ through daily TV shows, devotionals, podcasts, and conferences worldwide.
She is especially recognized for attending these international conferences in her $10 million private Gulfstream IV private jet, something she has in common with other celebrity pastors.
Joyce Meyer's net worth is estimated at between $8 and $10 million today.
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Some of the richest pastors in America built giant fortunes through the faithful, with at least one pastor's net worth estimated at over $300 million.Rick Warren
Prominent mega-pastor Rick Warren garnered global fame and celebrity status after writing the book The Purpose Driven Life, which became the second most translated book in the world after the Bible.
Warren founded the Saddleback Baptist Evangelical megachurch in 1980, becoming the largest church in California and the eighth-largest church in the United States.
However, Warren is rumored to be unlike other mega pastors and does not own a private jet or a yacht.
In fact, he is said to live a fairly average life, living on just ten percent of his ministry's earnings, giving ten percent to care for the poor and sick, and allocating ten percent to savings.
Tithing is a well-known practice, entailing the earmarking of ten percent of your income for the church; Warren's practice of donating that amount is likely considered a tithe.
Rick Warren's net worth estimates are modest as well, typically approximated at $25 million.
Rev. John Hagee
John Charles Hagee is the founder of The Cornerstone Pentecostal Mega-Church, which he established in 1983 in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Cornerstone Church seats over 20,000 members, making it one of the most successful wide-reaching Christian organizations in the world.
Apart from being the senior pastor of his church, he is also the CEO of Global Evangelism Television (GETV), a non-profit organization, as well as the President and CEO of John Hagee Ministries, which is carried across several different television networks in the United States.
Hagee also owns a $5.5 million ranch in Bracketville, Texas, and a three-engine jet Dassault Aviation Mystere-Falcon 50 valued at around $20 million.
Rev. John Hagee's net worth is estimated in the even more modest range of $5 to $6 million.
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