Latest news with #JoelOsteen
Fox News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Grammy Nominated Musician and Pastor Tauren Wells Sings and Preaches About Joy!
Musician and Pastor Tauren Wells has a passion for teaching people about the joys of knowing and serving Jesus Christ. Once known as part of the praise team for Pastor Joel Osteen at Lakewood Church in Houston, Wells now co-pastors his own church, Church of Whitestone in Austin, Texas, with his wife Lorna. His new book takes a deep dive into the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew, exploring how happiness comes not from external things but from a changed heart, a heart that's growing in closeness to Jesus. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Pastor Wells explains his new book, 'Joy Bomb: Unleash Jesus's Explosive Joy for an Extraordinary Life,' that true joy is 'rooted in God's unchanging character and boundless love for us.' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
Miami Herald
12-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Joel Osteen's net worth: The TV preacher's wealth & income in 2025
Fast facts: Televangelist Joel Osteen is one of the most popular Christian preachers in the U.S. and the world, with 5.9 million followers on Instagram, 10 million followers on X (formerly Twitter), and 28 million followers on Facebook. Osteen is the head preacher at Lakewood megachurch in Texas, America's largest Christian has drawn widespread criticism from Christians and non-Christians alike, both for his visibly lavish lifestyle and for preaching the controversial prosperity gospel, which teaches that faithful Christians are more likely to be rewarded with material wealth. Here's what you need to know about his wealth, income, and spending in 2025. In the Bible, a passage in Proverbs 11.28 reads, "He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like the green leaf," while another in Mark 6.24 reads, "You cannot serve God and wealth." Overall, the Bible tends not to equate wealth with righteousness, but that hasn't stopped charismatic prosperity gospel preachers like Joel Osteen from crafting their own unique brand of financially focused Christian wisdom-and banking some serious wealth in the process. Osteen, the senior pastor at Houston's massive Lakewood Church, is among the most popular Christian preachers in the United States. According to FeedSpot, a company that catalogues social media influencers, Osteen is the third most popular pastor on Instagram at 5.9 million followers. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Osteen is best known for his weekly Lakewood Church service, which is broadcast nationwide on television networks like CBS, FOX, and TBN and can also be streamed on-demand on YouTube, Facebook, and the Lakewood Church website. He also cohosts a daily podcast with his wife, Victoria, sharing half-hour episodes that cover topics like goals, relationships, money, and humor from his Word of Faith perspective. Interestingly, Osteen doesn't take a salary from the Lakewood Church for his preaching and hasn't since 2005. Nevertheless, he's still managed to accumulate an impressive net worth, primarily via advances and royalties from his book. Osteen is a prolific author, having published 26 books since 2004-that's an average of almost two and a half books per year. His newest release, Graced to Go, hits shelves on July 29. Now, more than a quarter century into his career as the head pastor at America's largest megachurch, here's what Osteen is worth, how he built his wealth, and how he spends his sources estimate Osteen's wealth to be north of $100 million as of mid-2025. In 2018, the Indianapolis Star reported that Osteen was worth over $50 million, meaning that if current estimates are correct, he may have doubled his wealth over the last decade-an impressive feat given the economic difficulties ignited by the COVID-19 pandemic and the inflationary pressures that followed. Fact-checking authority Snopes points out that no mentions of Osteen's net worth over the years have provided veritable sources, but given the value of his two Houston mansions, we know that his net worth is at least around $17 million based on his real estate holdings alone. Assuming he possesses other valuable assets, like cash and investments, his true net worth is likely much higher. Related: Tony Robbins' net worth: The self-help kingpin's wealth & income As mentioned above, Osteen has not drawn a salary for his role as head preacher at Lakewood since 2005. According to a 2018 article from the Indy Star, the salary for his position is set at $200,000, so it's possible that he made $1 million or more in pay from the church during his early years as senior pastor after his father's death in 1999. Osteen's book deals & sales royalties The bulk of Osteen's income, however, no doubt comes from his wildly successful books. His first book, 2004's Your Best Life Now, reportedly sold over 8 million copies and remained on the New York Times' bestseller list for over two years. The massive success of his debut effort landed him a massive deal with Simon & Schuster's Free Press, which reportedly offered Osteen a deal worth north of $8.5 million for his sophomore effort, 2007's Become a Better You. An editor's note in a 2009 Forbes interview indicates that this payout may actually have been as high as $13 million. Sales numbers for his subsequent books-all 24 of them-are more difficult to find, but according to a video uploaded to YouTube by Steve Waldren, a pastor at New Life of Albany church, Osteen had sold over 20 million books by January of 2022. Seven of his 26 books have made their way to the New York Times bestseller list, according to publisher Simon & Schuster. Several outlets have reported that Osteen earns $55 million annually from book sales, but none cite a credible source, and this figure seems unrealistically public speaking income Outside of book deals and royalties, which most sources agree represent Osteen's largest income stream, the famed televangelist also draws income from public speaking engagements at events. According to talent agency All American Speakers, Osteen's speaking fee for in-person events ranges from $100,000 to $200,000. His speaking fee for virtual events is not listed. For comparison, self-help coach Tony Robbins' speaking fee ranges from $500,000 to $750,000. Related: Mike Lindell's net worth after defamation verdict "It's God's will for you to live in prosperity instead of poverty" may be Osteen's best-known quote, and it's certainly a central tenet of his prosperity gospel preaching. And with a potential net worth of $100 million, he doesn't just talk the talk-he puts his money where his mouth is. Here's a look at some of Osteen's biggest purchases, including real estate, vehicles, and more. More net worth: Dave Ramsey's net worth: The retirement expert's wealth in 2025Daniel Lubetzky's net worth: The 'Shark Tank' billionaire's wealth in 2025Mark Cuban's net worth ahead of 'Shark Tank' departure Joel Osteen's real estate: the Mansion of Dreams & the Tanglewood Mansion Osteen purchased his current primary residence, dubbed the Mansion of Dreams, for $10.9 million in 2010. The 17,000-square-foot Houston abode sits on 1.86 acres and boasts six bedrooms and six bathrooms. The property, built in 1937, reportedly also features a separate guest house, an outdoor pool, multiple elevators, and five wood-burning fireplaces. As of mid-2025, the estimated value of the Mansion of Dreams has increased to $14.29 million, according to Zillow. Osteen's previous Houston residence, known as the Tanglewood Mansion, remains in his real estate portfolio, as he chose not to sell it when he moved in 2010. This property is smaller, with just four bedrooms and four bathrooms, and was valued at $2.9 million in 2010. Does Joel Osteen own yachts, jets, and sports cars? There seems to be quite a bit of controversy surrounding Osteen's supposed ownership of various high-end vehicles, with sources disagreeing as to the veracity of widespread rumors regarding the megachurch pastor's penchant for yachts, sports cars, and private jets. A 2017 article in the Washington Post exploring popular criticisms of Osteen and his opulent lifestyle mentioned his "yachts and jets" but did not go into more detail. This may simply have been a reference to a parody headline released by satire website the Babylon Bee earlier that year that read "Joel Osteen Sails Luxury Yacht Through Flooded Houston To Pass Out Copies Of 'Your Best Life Now.'" A 2024 article in Newsweek noted that widespread rumours about Osteen's ownership of yachts and luxury sports cars have not been substantiated. That being said, a popular YouTube video by Nicki Swift claims that Osteen has a large garage full of high-end cars, including a Ferrari 458 Italia. A 2024 article from the Daily Mail, however, contradicts this claim specifically. This same Daily Mail article also states that Osteen does not own a private jet, but a 2024 article from We Got This Covered disagrees, claiming he specifically owns a $68 million Airbus A319, one of the most expensive aircraft available to the public. Related: Linda McMahon's net worth: From WWE to Education Secretary Osteen's philanthropic donations Joel Osteen, who has been nicknamed the smiling preacher for his cheerful demeanor, doesn't just spend his money on mansions-he also makes charitable donations, some through Lakewood Church, and others directly. That being said, many have criticized Lakewood for how little of its massive income it diverts to those in need. According to the Houston Chronicle, Lakewood brought in $89 million in 2017, with more than 90% of that income comprising donations from church members and followers. That same year, the church donated a mere $1.2 million - less than 1% of its income - to charitable causes. Osteen and his wife are also well known for donating to Feed the Children, a global nonprofit that is rated four out of five stars by Charity Navigator. The org has come under fire in the past for its financial practices, however, once receiving an F grade from Charity Watch for spending too much of its money on fundraising efforts, staff, and other administrative expenses, resulting in a comparatively small percentage of its income serving its stated mission of providing food to struggling communities. Related: Suze Orman's net worth in 2025: The personal finance icon's wealth The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
News18
15-06-2025
- Health
- News18
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2025: Theme, Quotes And All You Need To Know
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2025: Approximately one in six people aged 60 and above experiences some form of abuse each year. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2025: Observed annually on June 15, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is a global initiative launched in 2006 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA). It was officially recognised by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2011. According to WHO and its partners, approximately one in six people aged 60 and above experiences some form of abuse each year—whether physical, emotional, financial, or neglect in community settings. The consequences are profound, ranging from physical injuries and psychological trauma to malnutrition and even premature death. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2025: Quotes 'A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members." – Mahatma Gandhi 'The most precious gift you can give someone is your time, your attention, your love, and your concern." – Joel Osteen 'Our elders are the roots of our families and communities, and we must protect them." – Anonymous 'To care for anyone else enough to make their problems one's own, is ever the beginning of one's real life." – Caroline E. Stephen 'Ageing is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength." – Betty Friedan About the Author First Published: June 15, 2025, 07:30 IST
Daily Mail
10-06-2025
- Daily Mail
A Christian widow's murder and the DNA twist that's reopened old wounds for megachurch pastor Joel Osteen
Johnnie Daniel was a good Christian woman who had an open-door policy at her home in a quiet subdivision of Houston, Texas. The 84-year-old widow, the great aunt of megachurch pastor Joel Osteen, wouldn't hesitate to provide money, food, and shelter to those in need, no matter who they were or where they'd come from. But Daniel's lifelong commitment to unconditional kindness was rewarded with a vicious and brutal end. She was found dead in her living room on August 17, 2006, her face bashed in with a claw hammer, and a copy of the New Testament and a green pencil placed upon her chest. Police struggled to find a motive for the horrifying crime, but eventually charged Edric Wilson, a troubled 29-year-old already in custody on separate aggravated assault charges, with her murder, after his DNA was matched to material found beneath Daniel's fingernails. The case against Wilson would languish in legal limbo for 18 years before he was eventually released from custody in March, having never made it to trial, after the DNA evidence against him was found to be far weaker than originally believed. Now, almost 20 years after Daniel's death, officials in Houston have reopened her case, hoping that advances in forensic technology will help identify her killer once and for all. In a statement over the weekend, Senior Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Thomas Gilliland confirmed that Daniel's case is 'open and very much active.' A spokesperson for Joel Osteen has not yet responded to a comment request from the Daily Mail. Wilson has also been contacted but without reply. Wilson was charged with Daniel's murder within weeks of her body being found. At the time, he was living with his then-wife and three children in nearby Channelview. He had a criminal record and was wanted in connection with the stabbing of his neighbor, which had taken place a few months earlier. But he wasn't on anyone's radar for Johnnie Daniel's murder - at least not until he was finally arrested for the stabbing incident that September. As part of the booking process, Wilson was ordered to submit a DNA sample, which was entered into a national database. It came back as a possible match to genetic material found beneath Daniel's fingernails, according to court records. However, such findings are never certain. In Wilson's case, forensic analysts reported at the time that his DNA profile appeared to be similar to a profile recovered from under Daniel's fingernails, sharing that there was a 1 in 73.1 million chance it wasn't him. The probability offered a compelling result. But, in the years that followed, DNA labs across Houston were hit with multiple scandals, and the methodology for identifying possible matches between DNA profiles has changed dramatically over the last two decades. A mistake in the Daniel's investigation wouldn't be realized for several years yet. In the meantime, Wilson was left to molder behind bars without bond, for a trial that never came, after his case suffered repeated delays and numerous setbacks. His defense attorneys - supported by several experts - believed he was mentally unfit to stand trial. A judge ultimately agreed, and the state's focus shifted away from prosecuting Wilson and towards restoring his competency. What followed was a succession - and seemingly never-ending cycle - of psychological assessments and waitlists for treatment beds while attorneys argued over his mental capabilities. But Wilson insists he was never suffering from mental illness, and the claims of incompetence were concocted by his lawyers as part of an elaborate 'stall tactic.' 'I kept arguing, there's nothing wrong with me,' Wilson told the Houston Chronicle. He said his lawyers responded: ''Don't you want to be in a mental hospital? It's an easier time. It's better than you getting a life sentence or the death penalty.'' While the tactic played out, the incentive to investigate Wilson's claims of innocence became secondary, as did any plans to re-test the strength of the DNA test against him. Had his case gone to trial as Wilson wanted, it's possible the weakness of some of the evidence that originally tied him to Daniel's killing might have been discovered sooner. That breakthrough finally came last spring, after lab technicians re-examined the initial test results against Wilson and came to a drastically different conclusion from that of their forensic peers in 2006. The chance that the DNA found under Daniel's fingernails could belong to an 'unrelated' person and not Wilson was now 1 in 15,830, which is enough uncertainty for it to be considered an accidental match. The case against Wilson almost rested solely on that DNA profile. In August, the Harris County District Attorney's Office moved to dismiss the capital murder charge against Wilson, citing insufficient evidence. He has since been released on parole in connection with the unrelated assault case. Sean Teare, who was sworn in as Harris County District Attorney a few months after the charges were dropped, said Wilson's case had suffered 'failures at every level.' 'It's a tragic case, and the thing that it spells out is people can fall through the cracks,' he added. Speaking after his release, Wilson lamented the time he'd lost idling in his cell, waiting for his day in court. 'If my bond had been lower and at a reasonable level, which the law requires, I could have been out with my family, out working, out living my life,' he told reporters in March. 'In reality, I was stuck. I was living a life sentence as a guilty person. Not innocent until proven guilty, but guilty until proven innocent.' Now, investigators are back to square one. No further details about the direction of their renewed probe have been shared, but Harris County Deputy Gilliland pledged this week that his department 'remains steadfast in its commitment to securing justice for the Daniel family.' Osteen has spoken sparingly of his late great aunt over the last 19 years. He is the leader of Lakewood Church and is considered to be one of the best-known televangelists in the US. In an interview with The Guardian in 2010, Osteen said Daniel's death only affirmed his faith in a higher power, rather than causing him to question it. 'I don't want to sound like I'm super spiritual or anything but… I don't… I haven't… From the time that I was little, I've had a good sense of trust and confidence that God was in control. Even with my great aunt. I believe part of faith is trusting,' he shared. 'Maybe this would be a better example. We had a good friend and their 16-year-old boy left one night and he wasn't supposed to take the car. 'He hit a tree and killed himself. They're still not over it. And you know, they're good people. 'It's hard to explain, but… I believe that God can keep you… that you won't leave this earth until you're supposed to go.' Osteen has amassed a net-worth of around $100 million and has been criticized in the part for his lavish lifestyle while preaching the importance of generosity Despite the shocking nature of her death and her relationship to one of the country's best-known pastors, Daniel's killing barely registered beyond local headlines, casting only the faintest shadow over Osteen's gilded public life. As the case faded from public consciousness, Osteen continued to assail the ranks of evangelical fame, transforming his Lakewood Church into a stadium-sized, spiritual juggernaut. His sermons reached millions, his books became bestsellers, and he amassed a fortune of an estimated $100 million. But his rise to prominence hasn't been without controversy. Osteen is often criticized in Christian circles for his peddling of what's known as the prosperity gospel, the idea that God will bless true believers with wealth if they have unwavering faith and give generously to their church. Others within Christianity argue that Osteen's teachings are antithetical to those of Jesus, and even potentially harmful to those experiencing hardship or poverty, who are encouraged to give what little they have with the promise of material returns that can't be guaranteed. He came under mounting scrutiny in 2017 when Lakewood hesitated to open its doors to flood victims in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, with critics blasting the flashy pastor for seemingly caring more about his wealth than the welfare of his fellow man. Three years later, the church drew renewed scrutiny once again when Osteen accepted $4.4million in federal COVID relief funds, despite his considerable personal wealth and the church's tax-exempt status. Amidst the backlash, Osteen was skewered for his opulent lifestyle, which included splurging $300,000 on a Ferrari sports car and a $10.5 million mansion in Houston's much-desired River Oaks neighborhood. Both the car and the home became lightning rods for accusations of hypocrisy, with critics charging Osteen with preaching generosity while practicing greed. All the while, the murder of his elderly great-aunt - a woman who is said to have lived out the very principles of generosity and sacrifice he so often preaches - remains an unresolved footnote, with investigators now back where they began, almost 20 years on.
Daily Mail
09-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Fresh probe into murder of Joel Osteen's great-aunt Johnnie Daniel who was found bludgeoned to death
Authorities in Texas are reopening the investigation into the murder of megachurch pastor Joel Osteen's great aunt nearly two decades after she was found bludgeoned to death inside her home. Johnnie Daniel, 84, the aunt of Osteen's mother, Dodie Osteen, was found dead in her home in eastern Harris County in August 2006 - with her head smashed in and a copy of the New Testament and a pencil on her chest, Chron reports. A claw hammer in a bloody towel lay beside the elderly woman. The Harris County Sheriff's Office charged Edric Wilson, then 29, with capital murder for her death three months later - pointing to DNA evidence they said linked him to the scene. But after he spent 18 years languishing in state mental facilities and prisons without a trial, prosecutors last year determined the DNA test result concluding Wilson must have been the murderer was weaker than they originally thought, according to the Houston Chronicle. Wilson was ultimately released from prison in March of this year, and his case was dismissed on April 3. Now, Senior Deputy Thomas Gilliland said Daniel's 'capital murder case from 2006 is open and very much active, and is currently assigned to our Homicide Unit. 'The Harris County Sheriff's Office remains steadfast in its commitment to securing justice for the Daniel family,' he added. The elderly woman's brutal murder shocked her community, with one neighbor telling ABC 13 that 'It's sad someone would do that to an old, defenseless lady.' A family member also said Daniel was 'kind hearted and just a wonderful lady,' with Dodie - the now 91 year old mother of the famed Lakewood Church pastor - releasing a statement at the time describing her aunt as a 'kind and generous woman who lived her life with mercy, compassion and a deep love for the Lord. 'She was dearly loved by me and my family and will be greatly missed.' Police also struggled to figure out what may have led to the elderly woman's beating, as it did not look like anyone had forced their way into the house or had stolen anything. Authorities were then left without answers for weeks, until officers arrested Wilson for an unrelated stabbing of a neighbor in September and he was required to provide a DNA sample. That sample was then entered into a national database, and was compared to DNA found under Daniel's fingernails. Forensic analysts then determined that the chances the DNA found under the victim's fingernails belonged to someone other than Wilson was just one in 73.1 million, the Chronicle previously reported. But when prosecutors decided in 2023 to re-examine the cases of people who have been languishing in prison for decades, they re-tested the DNA sample - and found that the probability the genetic material under Daniel's nails belonged to someone other than Wilson was just one in 15,830. Experts said that could indicate an 'accidental match.' The DNA had not been re-examined earlier because Wilson's case was perpetually put on hold after he was found 'incompetent to stand trial in 2009.' From there, the Chronicle reports, Wilson was caught in an 'endless loop' of psychological assessments and waitlists for treatments beds while his attorneys argued over his competency to stand trial. Throughout that time, there was no incentive to re-examine the evidence against him. 'I think there were failures at every level,' said Sean Teare, who was sworn in as Harris County District Attorney a few months after the charges against Wilson were dropped. 'It's a tragic case and the thing that it spells out is people can fall through the cracks.' His office has now said it will 'assess the case and determine whether or not anyone should face charges' should the Harris County Sheriff's Office uncover new evidence. In the meantime, Wilson remained on parole after pleading guilty to the unrelated aggravated assault charge - which a judge noted he has already served 20 years behind bars for.
