Early Life and Education of Pat Robertson: A Complete Timeline
How education and upbringing influenced the life of Pat Robertson. A timeline of key moments.
Pat Robertson was a prominent American televangelist, media mogul, and political commentator. He founded the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) and Regent University, advocating for a conservative Christian worldview. Robertson ran for president in 1988, demonstrating his active involvement in Republican politics and his influence within the Christian right. He was a key figure in the Charismatic movement and a significant voice in American religious and political discourse for decades.
March 22, 1930: Pat Robertson Born
On March 22, 1930, Marion Gordon "Pat" Robertson was born in Lexington, Virginia. He became an American media mogul, televangelist, political commentator, presidential candidate, and charismatic minister.
1940: Attended McCallie School
In 1940, Pat Robertson began attending The McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
1946: Graduated from McCallie School
In 1946, Pat Robertson graduated with honors from The McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
1948: Joined the U.S. Marine Corps
In 1948, Pat Robertson joined the U.S. Marine Corps after the draft was reinstated. He served in the Korean War.
1954: Marriage to Adelia "Dede" Elmer
In 1954, Pat Robertson married Adelia "Dede" Elmer, a fashion model and beauty queen who was studying for her master's degree in nursing at Yale University. This marked a significant personal milestone in his life.
1955: Graduated from Yale Law School
In 1955, Pat Robertson received a law degree from Yale Law School, graduating near the top of his class.
1956: Met Cornelius Vanderbreggen
In 1956, Pat Robertson met Dutch missionary Cornelius Vanderbreggen, who influenced Robertson's life and beliefs.
1959: Received Master of Divinity Degree
In 1959, Pat Robertson received a Master of Divinity degree from The Biblical Seminary in New York after a religious conversion.
1961: Ordained as a Southern Baptist Minister
In 1961, Pat Robertson was ordained as a Southern Baptist minister by Freemason Street Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia.
1977: Founded CBN University
In 1977, Pat Robertson founded CBN University, a private Christian university, on CBN's Virginia Beach campus.
September 1986: Presidential Ambitions Announced
In September 1986, Pat Robertson announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination for President of the United States. He stated that he would only pursue the nomination if three million people signed up to volunteer for his campaign by September 1987.
September 1987: Presidential Campaign Launch
In September 1987, Pat Robertson formally announced his candidacy for President of the United States. By this time, he had secured three million volunteer pledges and raised millions of dollars for his campaign. He surrendered his ministerial credentials, relinquished leadership of CBN to his son, Tim, and left the Southern Baptist Convention to fully commit to his political aspirations.
1988: Unsuccessful Presidential Campaign
In 1988, Pat Robertson unsuccessfully campaigned for the Republican presidential nomination. This led to him never again serving in an official role for any church.
1990: CBN University Renamed Regent University
In 1990, CBN University was renamed Regent University.
1994: Operation Blessing Aid to Rwandan Refugees
In 1994, after the Rwandan genocide, Pat Robertson's Operation Blessing solicited donations to provide medical supplies to refugees in Zaire.
1999: Tappat Wins Walter Haight Handicap
In 1999, Pat Robertson's gelding, Tappat, won the Walter Haight Handicap at Laurel Park.
2000: Tappat Wins Pennsylvania Governor's Cup Handicap
In 2000, Pat Robertson's gelding, Tappat, won the Pennsylvania Governor's Cup Handicap at Penn National Race Course.
September 11, 2001: Controversial Comments on 9/11 Attacks
During the week of September 11, 2001, Pat Robertson interviewed Jerry Falwell, who stated that the ACLU, pagans, abortionists, feminists, gays, and lesbians were to blame for the terror attacks of September 11th. Robertson replied, "I totally concur". These comments were met with serious criticism, including from President George W. Bush.
October 2003: Criticism of the State Department
In October 2003, Pat Robertson was interviewed about the book 'Dangerous Diplomacy' and suggested that to change American diplomacy, a large part of the United States Department of State should be eliminated.
September 12, 2005: Hurricane Katrina Comments
On the September 12, 2005, broadcast of The 700 Club, Pat Robertson implied that Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment for America's abortion policy. He suggested a connection between the September 11 attacks and the disaster in New Orleans.
2006: Leg Press Claim
In 2006, Pat Robertson claimed to have leg pressed 2,000 lbs three years earlier at the age of 73. This claim was met with skepticism from strength training experts. CBN attributed Robertson's energy and vitality to his "age-defying protein shake."
January 2009: Opposition to Division of Jerusalem
In January 2009, Pat Robertson voiced strong opposition to dividing Jerusalem between Israel and the Palestinians. He stated that Armageddon would be the "battle of Jerusalem," with global forces attempting to seize it from the Jews. Robertson emphasized Jerusalem's "spiritual symbol" and cautioned against relinquishing it.
2009: Comments on Islam
In 2009, Pat Robertson described Islam as "a violent political system bent on the overthrow of the governments of the world and world domination." He advocated treating it as a political system similar to the communist party or a fascist group.
2010: Haiti Earthquake Comments
In 2010, Pat Robertson's response to the Haiti earthquake sparked widespread condemnation. He claimed that Haiti's founders had sworn a "pact to the Devil" and attributed the earthquake to the Haitian people being "cursed" for doing so. CBN later clarified that Robertson's comments were based on the 1791 slave rebellion and a supposed pact with the devil in exchange for victory over the French.
2014: Reversal on Cannabis Legalization
In 2014, Pat Robertson reversed his stance on cannabis legalization. He cited concerns about protecting children, claiming higher cannabis use rates in Colorado after legalization, contrasting with his earlier advocacy for treating cannabis similarly to alcohol and tobacco.
March 2015: Comments on Buddhism
In March 2015, Pat Robertson compared Buddhism to a disease on The 700 Club. The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), a conservative Christian watchdog group Robertson founded, called for a multi-pronged attack on mindfulness programs because "they appear to be similar to Buddhist religious practices."
August 11, 2017: Hospitalized After Horseback Riding Accident
On August 11, 2017, Pat Robertson was hospitalized after sustaining minor injuries from a fall during a horseback riding incident.
February 2, 2018: Embolic Stroke
On February 2, 2018, Pat Robertson suffered an embolic stroke at his home in Virginia Beach. He received prompt medical attention and was administered tPA, a clot-busting drug. He was discharged from the hospital two days later.
February 12, 2018: Return to The 700 Club
On February 12, 2018, Pat Robertson resumed his hosting duties on The 700 Club, just ten days after suffering an embolic stroke. This marked a quick return to his public role following a health challenge.
June 2019: Rib Injury from Fall
In June 2019, Pat Robertson was absent from The 700 Club after breaking three ribs in a fall. Upon his return, he described the experience as painful and thanked viewers for their prayers.
2022: Death of wife Adelia "Dede" Elmer
In 2022, Pat Robertson's wife Adelia "Dede" Elmer died, ending their marriage.
2023: Regent University Best Graduate Schools
In 2023, U.S. News & World Report ranked Regent University Best Graduate Schools-Law, Best Graduate Schools – Social Sciences and Humanities Doctoral Programs – Psychology, Best Graduate Schools – Public Affairs, and Best Education Schools.
