Inheriting the Lakewood Church from his father, Joel has grown into an influential figure, well-loved pastor, and televangelist. Joel Osteen net worth is around $100 million.
With the central message of “Our God is a good God”, Joel’s sermons continue to reach a wider audience, well-received by people across the globe. His sermons were broadcast to over 200 million homes in the US alone.
Who is Joel Osteen?
Joel Osteen Preaching. Image Attribution: RobertMWorsham, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Joel Scott Osteen, also known as Joel Osteen, is a renowned American priest, author, motivational speaker, scholar, and evangelist who hosts religious programs regularly through television broadcasts. In 2018, about 10 million people in the US and many millions more people from more than 100 countries saw Joel’s sermons every week.
Joel is best known for his positive televised sermons. Besides this, he is the author of many best-selling books.
Both his televised programs and books have helped Joel earn millions of followers across the globe, helping make Joel Osteen net worth around $100 million.
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Joel’s Net Worth Estimate
Joel Osteen’s Net Worth estimates at around $100 million. His annual income is about $5 million.
Joel’s Net Worth By Year
Here is a list of Joel’s earnings by year:
- 2018 – $86 million
- 2019 – $90 million
- 2020 – $96 million
- 2021 – $100 million
Joel earns the most of his income through his sermons. Being a celebrity priest, Joel delivers speeches in several churches across the United States, including his personal Lakewood Church, contributing about $70 million annually to Joel Osteen’s net worth.
Additionally, his sermons on television get millions of views, which helps boost his net worth. Joel also earns handsomely through the books he has written.
Joel’s Height, Weight
- Joel’s Height: 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm)
- Joel’s Weight: Around 176 pounds (80kg)
- Joel’s Eye Color: Sharp black
- Joel’s Hair Color: Dark brown
- Joel’s Shoe Size: 10.5 (US)
Birth Place and Early life
On March 5, 1963, Joel Osteen was born in Houston, Texas, United States. Joel is currently 60 years old and is an American national. Joel’s father was a Baptist pastor in the Lakewood Church. Joel graduated from Humble High School, Texas, in 1981. Later, he got admission to Oral Roberts University, situated in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
He learned about television and radio communications, but unfortunately, he could not graduate. So, leaving his graduation incomplete, he went back to Houston and joined Lakewood Church’s television programs created by his father. His father was giving sermons through this platform of communication for 17 years.
In January 1999, his father passed away, and Joel had to take on all his father’s responsibilities. Before passing away, Joel’s father asked Joel to give a sermon in the Lakewood Church, and Joel finally agreed. This sermon was the first and last sermon that Joel’s father heard before passing away.
Joel’s Career
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— Joel Osteen (@JoelOsteen) May 26, 2022
Initially, Joel’s career started in television and broadcasting, with his capstone in his media career being his dedication towards the TBU-TV55, turning it into a premier independent TV station.
At the request of his father, Joel Osteen started serving as a priest in 1999. He delivered his first sermon on January 17, 1999, to the delight of his father who passed away shortly after.
Four years later, the church acquired the Compaq Center in 2003, an arena initially used for sports games, housing the Houston Rockets, an American professional basketball team connected to the National Basketball Association (NBA). It also housed Houston Aeros belonging to the American Hockey League (AHL).
It took 18 months to turn the arena into a fully renovated place for worship services. In the first week after the Compaq Center opened up for its first sermon, Joel’s church received 10,000 new members.
In 2004, Joel started hosting events with his wife in the US and worldwide. These events included “America’s Night of Hope,” a stadium event held annually. The event offered famous Christian music and motivating messages for the people attending it live or those watching the show online.
Along with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Joel was ranked among the top in “Barbara Walter’s 10 Most Fascinating People” show in 2006.
In 2008, according to Joel, about 7 million viewers watched his weekly serviced TV program from Lakewood Church in over 100 countries with nearly 7 million viewers. In addition, John McCain, a one-time presidential candidate, called Joel the best-loved motivational author.
In 2010, Joel’s family had the privilege of having breakfast with Barack Obama. The family enjoyed this Easter breakfast at the President’s White House.
Since 2014, the number of people who attend Joel’s sermon at Lakewood Church has increased from 6000 to about 43000.
In 2018, Joel hosted “Sunday Service by Kanye” with Kanye West, a famous rapper. According to the information provided by media sources that covered this event, approximately 17,000 people became a part of this event, along with a considerable number watching online.
During the COVID-19 era, Joel collaborated with Tyler Perry and Mariah Carey to provide Easter services.
Joel’s Preaching Style
While preparing for a sermon, Joel recalls his sayings and learns them by heart. Joel repeatedly listens to his addresses on tape. Joel focuses the attention of his listeners and viewers on the goodness of God. His preference is to let people know to spend life following the rules of integrity and virtue and prefers not to focus on sin.
Joel teaches the principles of the Bible in an easy way, highlighting the power of kindness, love, and a positive view of life and people.
During an interview with CBN News, they asked Joel about his preaching style, saying that he doesn’t talk about the devil, sin, or hell. Joel answered it by saying that people consider the devil their biggest enemy, which is not always true.
According to Joel, often, thoughts are a person’s enemy because of the wrong direction in which people are training themselves. He further added that he believes in hell, too, but considers God as a God of mercy.
Joel concluded by saying that everyone around already knows about their wrongdoings, and he wouldn’t like to speak to any of them about the possibility they might go to hell for their actions. Instead, he would like to tell everybody that there is mercy for every mistake, and there is always a chance to improve and do better.
Joel’s Highly Praised Books
“Your Best Life Now”
Joel published his first book in October 2004. The book is titled “Your Best Life Now.” It focuses on seven basic steps required for living at the highest possible potential. The book hit number one place on the Best Seller book list in New York Times and has been well-received worldwide.
“Become a Better You”
Three years later, in 2007, Joel published his second Book in October. The book is titled “Become a Better You.” It highlights seven essential keys to improving daily life. The publishing company printed three million copies of this book during the very first printing.
According to Joel, books are an excellent source of going in-depth about relationships and helping people to come out of where they are stuck in life.
Joel’s Full Book List:
Here is a list of all of Joel’s books, including the name and year of publication:
- 2004 – Your Best Life Now
- 2005 – Daily Readings from Your Best Life Now
- 2007 – Become a Better You
- 2008 – Your Best Life Begins Each Morning
- 2009 – It’s Your Time
- 2011 – Everyday a Friday
- 2012 – I Declare
- 2013 – Break Out
- 2014 – You Can You Will
- 2015 – The Power of I Am
- 2016 – Think Better, Live Better
- 2017 – Blessed in the Darkness
- 2018 – Next Level Thinking
- 2019 – The Power of Favor
- 2020 – The Abundance Mind-Set
- 2021 – You Are Stronger Than You Think
Personal Life and Family
Joel and his family live in River Oaks in about a 17,000-square-foot residence. The cost of his home is around $10.5 million.
Joel’s father’s name is John Osteen, and his mother’s name is Dodie Osteen. Dodie Osteen is the second wife of Joel’s father. When John Osteen was alive, he created Lakewood Church, established in May 1959 on Mother’s Day.
From Joel’s father’s first marriage, he has a stepbrother named Justin Osteen. Justin lives in New York, working as a missionary there. John’s first marriage, unfortunately, did not succeed and ended in divorce.
Joel’s birth parents, John and Doddie Osteen have five children, and Joel was the fourth born. Joel grew up with three elder siblings, Tamara, Lisa, and Paul, and one younger sister, whose name is April.
Joel Osteen’s wife’s name is Victoria Osteen. She was born in Alabama on March 28, 1961. She was a psychology student when she first met Joel. When Victoria was working in her mother’s jewelry shop, Joel came there to replace his watch’s battery, and he met Victoria. Victoria would later become a famous American writer and co-pastor of Lakewood Church.
Joel and Victoria got married on April 4, 1987. They have two children, the first one is their son whose name is Jonathan, and the second child is a daughter, and her name is Alexandra.
Jonathan was born on April 20, 1995, and Alexandra was born on November 9, 1998. Jonathan recently got a degree in screenwriting by graduating from the University Of Texas. He is serving Lakewood church with his sermons to the youth members. Alexandra is interested in singing and is a student at the University of Texas, Austin.
In 2014 there were some rumors that Joel and Victoria got separated. This rumor spread from a blog named “let’s go to the ashes.” This blog was one of the reasons why people misunderstood what was going on and continued spreading misinformation.
After these rumors, Victoria was interviewed, saying they grew together and learned to love people. She assured the interviewer that these were just rumors. There is no truth in the rumors; she and Joel have been together for thirty years.
Filmography
Joel Osteen worked as an actor in different movies and television shows. He was a part of three famous films such as:
- “Friends of God: A Road Trip” was released in 2007. Alexandra Pelosi was the director of the documentary.
- “Just Laugh” was released in 2009, and Anton Evagenlista was the movie director.
- “Mary, Mother of Christ” was released in 2014, and James Foley was the director of this film.
He also did many television shows, such as:
- “Changing Your World”, airing from 1990 to 2015.
- “Joel” in 1993.
- “The Easter Special: No Wonder They Call Him the Savior” in 2012.
- “Joel and Victor Osteen Present: Easter Sunday” in 2020.
- “Empty the Negative” since 2020.
Latest News
In 2014, there was breaking news that someone stole a significant amount of money from Lakewood Church – about $600,000. However, the case was never cleared up and the culprit was never discovered.
Fast-forward to November 10, 2021, and a plumber was working in the church who said that he found a considerable amount of money from the back of the toilet wall. This news spread as other authorities also confirmed the case.
According to the plumber, he was working on the toilet, and when he removed the dome tiles from the wall, he found about 500 envelopes filled with money. He called the maintenance supervisor and told him about the whole incident. It is still unclear how much money has been uncovered from this, and the case still has many questions to be answered.
Facts About Joel Osteen
Here are some interesting facts about Joel Osteen:
- People usually criticize Joel Osteen for his luxurious lifestyle. He owns a Ferrari and his hobby is driving. He also owns many expensive properties in different areas across River Oaks and Houston.
- Joel is famous for always starting his speeches by telling jokes. He always spreads positivity through his sermons. Despite his abundant skill, he didn’t see himself becoming a preacher in the future. Initially, he was more interested in television, media and business, however, he dropped out of college without completing his graduation.
- He has many sources of income with the majority of his earnings coming from published books and offering sermons in different churches and channels.
- His favorite sportsman is Neymar, his favorite cricketer is Rohit Sharma, and his favorite footballer is Neymar.
- Joel’s most favorite famous actor is Robert Downey Jr.
- Joel’s favorite app is YouTube.
- Joel net worth is around $100 million.
Joel Osteen Net Worth & Bio Summary
| Name | Joel Osteen |
| Real Name | Joel Scott Osteen |
| Age | 60 |
| Place of Birth | Houston, Texas, United States |
| Occupation | Senior Pastor, Televangelist |
| Net Worth Estimate | $100 million |
| Date of Birth | March 5, 1963 |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) |
| Weight | 176 pounds (80 kg) |
| Marital Status | Married |