Pat Robertson dies at the age of 93

Television host and religious broadcaster Pat Robertson passed away at the age of 93 at his home in Virginia Beach. The news was announced by Christian Broadcasting Network, a company that he founded in 1960 and of which he was president until his death. The cause of death was not disclosed.

Robertson was considered one of the prime promoters of the "modern Christian right" by many media outlets. He will be remembered for being a media mogul and one of the most important and influential Christian businessmen in the country.

During his life, he created and founded several companies, organizations, think tanks and media outlets. They include the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), Regent University, Operation Blessing, International Family Entertainment Inc., the American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ), Founders Inn and Conference Center, and Christian Coalition, among others.

Robertson married Adelia "Dede" Elmer, a beauty queen, in 1954. They had four children and remained together until she died in 2022.

Media mogul, politician and entrepreneur

Robertson was also known for being an author. He wrote 15 major literary successes. His most famous books are The New World Order (1991) which became a New York Times Best Seller, The Turning Tide and The New Millennium.

In addition, his career as a television host made him a familiar face in many American households. The 700 Club was his most renowned program. There he interviewed influential people from all over the world, including several U.S. presidents such as Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump.

He ran to become the Republican Party's candidate for the 1988 presidential elections. However, he was unsuccessful. He ran against George H.W. Bush -whom he later endorsed- who went on to win the general election. A year after his failed candidacy, he created the political organization Christian Coalition.

He had a very controversial public life due to comments that sparked criticism among his followers. In 2001, he suggested that lesbians, gays, feminists, and supporters of pornography and abortion rights were responsible for the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers on 9/11. Later, he called for the assassination of Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez. In 2014, he warned that towels in Kenya could transmit AIDS.

He retired at the age of 91, in October 2021, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the The 700 Club's first broadcast. His son, Gordon, took over the program.