Robertson, Pat (1930-2023), was an American religious, political, and business leader. He regularly appeared on television, promoting Christian doctrines.
Marion Gordon Robertson, nicknamed Pat, was born in Lexington, Virginia. His father, A. Willis Robertson, was a Democratic senator from Virginia from 1946 to 1966. Pat Robertson received a bachelor’s degree from Washington and Lee University in 1950, a law degree from Yale Law School in 1955, and a Master of Divinity degree from New York Theological Seminary in 1959. Robertson was ordained a Southern Baptist minister in 1961.
In 1960, Robertson established the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), a nonprofit radio and television network specializing in religious programming. He served as CBN’s president until 1986, when he became the network’s chief executive officer. In 1977, he founded CBN (now Regent) University in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and served as its chancellor.
In 1987, Robertson announced his candidacy for the 1988 Republican presidential nomination. In his campaign, he supported school prayer, a balanced federal budget, and a ban on abortion. But he lost the nomination to George H. W. Bush, who was later elected president. In 1989, Robertson founded the Christian Coalition, a conservative political organization. He served as head of the organization in 1989 and from 1999 to 2001.
Robertson was also a successful investor. His holdings included a California oil refinery and a hotel and conference center in Virginia. Robertson died on June 8, 2023.
See also Christian Coalition of America.
