History of Pat Robertson in Timeline
"Pat" Robertson was an influential American figure who blended religion and politics. As a televangelist and head of CBN, he reached millions with his conservative Christian views. He actively participated in Republican politics, even running for president. Robertson also led Regent University, further solidifying his impact on education and public life.
March 22, 1930: Pat Robertson's Birth
Marion Gordon "Pat" Robertson was born on March 22, 1930, in Lexington, Virginia.
1940: Pat Robertson Attends McCallie School
Pat Robertson began attending The McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1940.
1946: Pat Robertson Graduates from McCallie School
Pat Robertson graduated with honors from The McCallie School in 1946.
1948: Pat Robertson Joins the U.S. Marine Corps
Pat Robertson joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1948 and served in the Korean War.
1952: Pat Robertson Promoted to First Lieutenant
Upon his return to the United States, Pat Robertson was promoted to First Lieutenant in 1952.
1954: Robertson Marries Adelia "Dede" Elmer
Pat Robertson married Adelia "Dede" Elmer, a former model and nursing student, in 1954.
1955: Pat Robertson Graduates from Yale Law School
In 1955, Pat Robertson graduated from Yale Law School with a law degree.
1956: Pat Robertson Meets Cornelius Vanderbreggen
Pat Robertson's life was significantly impacted by his meeting with Dutch missionary Cornelius Vanderbreggen in 1956.
1959: Pat Robertson Receives Master of Divinity Degree
Pat Robertson received a Master of Divinity degree from The Biblical Seminary in New York in 1959.
1960: Establishment of the Christian Broadcasting Network
Pat Robertson founded the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in 1960.
October 1, 1961: First Broadcast of WYAH-TV
Pat Robertson's television station, WYAH-TV, aired its first broadcast on October 1, 1961.
1961: Pat Robertson Ordained as a Southern Baptist Minister
Pat Robertson was ordained as a Southern Baptist minister by Freemason Street Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1961.
1966: The 700 Club First Aired
The first episode of The 700 Club, a long-running TV series, was aired in 1966.
1968: Death of Pat Robertson's Mother
Pat Robertson's mother, Gladys Churchill Robertson, passed away in 1968.
1971: Death of Pat Robertson's Father
Pat Robertson's father, A. Willis Robertson, passed away in 1971.
April 29, 1977: CBN Launches CBN Satellite Service
On April 29, 1977, CBN launched a religious cable network called the CBN Satellite Service.
1977: Founding of CBN University
Pat Robertson founded CBN University, a private Christian university, in 1977.
1982: Robertson's Involvement with the Council for National Policy
Robertson served on the Board of Governors for the Council for National Policy (CNP) in 1982.
1982: Robertson Serves on Reagan's Task Force
Robertson served on President Ronald Reagan's Victims of Crime Task Force in 1982.
1984: Robertson's Involvement with the Council for National Policy
Robertson was a member of the Council for National Policy (CNP) in 1984, 1988, and 1998.
1985: Robertson Leads the Council for National Policy
Robertson served as President of the Executive Committee for the Council for National Policy (CNP) from 1985 to 1986.
March 1986: Robertson's Comments on South Africa
In March 1986, Robertson stated that South Africa was a major contributor to the Reagan administration's efforts to aid anti-Sandinista forces.
September 1986: Robertson Announces Presidential Run
Robertson announced his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination in September 1986.
1986: Robertson Leads the Council for National Policy
Robertson served as President of the Executive Committee for the Council for National Policy (CNP) from 1985 to 1986.
1986: Libel Suit Filed by Pat Robertson
Pat Robertson filed a libel suit against former Congressman Paul McCloskey Jr. in 1986.
September 1987: Robertson Officially Enters Presidential Race
After receiving support and raising funds, Robertson officially declared his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination in September 1987.
1988: Pat Robertson's Presidential Campaign
Pat Robertson unsuccessfully ran for the Republican nomination for President of the United States in 1988.
1988: Robertson's Involvement with the Council for National Policy
Robertson was a member of the Council for National Policy (CNP) in 1984, 1988, and 1998.
1990: CBN University Renamed to Regent University
CBN University was renamed Regent University in 1990.
1990: International Family Entertainment is Formed
Robertson established International Family Entertainment (IFE) in 1990 to produce and distribute family-oriented programming.
1990: Christian Coalition Sued by Federal Election Commission
The Christian Coalition, founded by Robertson, was sued by the Federal Election Commission in 1990 for alleged campaign finance violations.
1991: Accusations of Propagating Jewish Conspiracy Theories
In 1991, Robertson faced accusations of promoting Jewish conspiracy theories in his book "The New World Order." Critics pointed out similarities between Robertson's writings and known anti-Semitic works.
1991: Publication of "The New World Order"
Robertson's book "The New World Order" was published in 1991 and became a New York Times bestseller.
1992: Christian Coalition Sued by Federal Election Commission
The Christian Coalition, founded by Robertson, was sued by the Federal Election Commission in 1992 for alleged campaign finance violations.
1994: Endorsement of "Evangelicals and Catholics Together"
In 1994, Pat Robertson showed his support for the document titled "Evangelicals and Catholics Together."
1994: Operation Blessing and the Rwandan Genocide
In 1994, Pat Robertson's Operation Blessing provided medical supplies to refugees of the Rwandan genocide in Zaire.
1994: Christian Coalition Fined
The Christian Coalition was fined in 1994 for improperly supporting Newt Gingrich and Oliver North's political campaigns.
1994: Christian Coalition Sued by Federal Election Commission
The Christian Coalition, founded by Robertson, was sued by the Federal Election Commission in 1994 for alleged campaign finance violations.
1997: Sale of IFE to Fox Kids Worldwide
Robertson sold IFE, including The Family Channel, to Fox Kids Worldwide in 1997 for $1.9 billion.
1997: Sale of The Family Channel
The Family Channel, a commercial entity spun off from CBN, was sold to News Corporation for $1.9 billion in 1997.
1998: Robertson's Involvement with the Council for National Policy
Robertson was a member of the Council for National Policy (CNP) in 1984, 1988, and 1998.
June 2, 1999: Allegations of Business Dealings with Charles Taylor
A June 2, 1999, report alleged Robertson had business dealings with Liberian president Charles Taylor, a claim he denied.
1999: Joint Venture with Bank of Scotland Fails
In 1999, Robertson's joint venture with the Bank of Scotland to provide financial services in the US failed due to his controversial comments about Scotland and homosexuality.
1999: Allegations of Misuse of Funds
In 1999, allegations surfaced that Operation Blessing planes were used to support Robertson's diamond mining operations in Zaire, a claim he denied.
1999: Success in Horse Racing
Robertson's horse, Tappat, won the 1999 Walter Haight Handicap at Laurel Park.
2000: Robertson's Horse Wins Pennsylvania Governor's Cup
Robertson's horse, Tappat, won the 2000 Pennsylvania Governor's Cup Handicap at Penn National Race Course.
September 11, 2001: Controversial Comments on 9/11 Attacks
Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, Robertson and Jerry Falwell sparked controversy by suggesting that the attacks were God's punishment for the presence of groups like the ACLU, abortionists, feminists, and the LGBTQ+ community in America. This drew criticism from President George W. Bush, and Falwell later issued an apology.
2001: Disney Acquires Fox Family Channel
Disney acquired Fox Family Channel (formerly The Family Channel) in 2001 and renamed it ABC Family.
October 2003: Criticism of the U.S. State Department
In October 2003, Robertson expressed his criticism of the U.S. State Department during an interview about his book "Dangerous Diplomacy." He suggested that Americans could improve diplomacy by significantly reducing the size and influence of the State Department.
September 12, 2005: Hurricane Katrina as Divine Retribution
On September 12, 2005, less than two weeks after Hurricane Katrina, Robertson suggested on The 700 Club that the devastating hurricane was God's punishment for America's abortion policy. He also implied a connection between the hurricane and the 9/11 attacks.
November 7, 2007: Robertson Endorses Rudy Giuliani
On November 7, 2007, Robertson announced his endorsement of Rudy Giuliani for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination.
2008: Robertson's Endorsement Sparks Criticism
Robertson's endorsement of Rudy Giuliani, a pro-choice candidate who supported gay rights, drew criticism from some social conservatives.
January 2009: Robertson's Views on Jerusalem
In January 2009, Robertson expressed his opposition to the division of Jerusalem and stated that the "battle of Jerusalem" would be a significant event in the end times.
2009: Inflammatory Remarks Against Islam
In 2009, Robertson made inflammatory remarks against Islam, characterizing it as a "violent political system" rather than a religion. He compared its adherents to members of the communist party or fascist groups.
February 4, 2010: Charles Taylor's Testimony at War Crimes Trial
On February 4, 2010, during his war crimes trial, Charles Taylor claimed Robertson was a political ally, a claim Robertson denied.
2010: Controversial Comments on Haiti Earthquake
Robertson sparked global outrage with his response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake. He claimed that the earthquake was a consequence of Haiti's founders making a "pact with the Devil" during a slave rebellion. Despite attempts to clarify his statement, Robertson's comments drew significant criticism.
2014: Robertson Reverses Stance on Cannabis Legalization
After previously supporting the legalization of cannabis, Robertson changed his stance in 2014.
March 2015: Comparing Buddhism to a Disease
In March 2015, Robertson referred to Buddhism as a disease on The 700 Club. He also criticized mindfulness programs, which his organization, the ACLJ, sought to target.
January 12, 2016: Freeform Replaces ABC Family
On January 12, 2016, ABC Family was renamed Freeform, though the channel, formerly owned by Robertson, still airs CBN programming.
August 11, 2017: Robertson Hospitalized After Horseback Riding Accident
On August 11, 2017, Robertson was hospitalized due to minor injuries from a horseback riding accident.
February 2, 2018: Embolic Stroke and Recovery
On February 2, 2018, Pat Robertson suffered an embolic stroke at his home. He was immediately taken to a stroke center where he received treatment and recovered quickly. This event led Robertson and his family to raise awareness about strokes.
June 2019: Broken Ribs from a Fall
In June 2019, Robertson broke three ribs in a fall. Despite the pain, he returned to The 700 Club shortly after, highlighting the resilience of "old guys."
October 2021: Pat Robertson's Retirement from The 700 Club
In October 2021, Pat Robertson retired from The 700 Club after hosting for six decades.
2021: Operation Blessing Ranked Among Top Charities
In 2021, Forbes ranked Operation Blessing/CBN as #44 in its "100 Largest Charities" list, highlighting its efficiency.
2022: Death of Adelia "Dede" Robertson
Adelia "Dede" Robertson, Pat Robertson's wife, passed away in 2022.
June 8, 2023: Pat Robertson's Death
Pat Robertson passed away on June 8, 2023.