As one of the most talked-about figures, Joel Osteen has built a significant fortune. Our team analyzed the latest data to provide a clear picture of their income.
What Is Joel Osteen's Net Worth and Salary?
Joel Osteen is an American preacher, televangelist, and author who has a net worth of $100 million. Joel Osteen is most famous for being the pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. He has become a somewhat controversial figure due to his personal wealth and general advocacy of the "prosperity gospel." His messages have been criticized for being too focused on individual enrichment and improvement. His mega-church in Houston is a 600,000-square-foot former sports stadium that has a 17,000-person seating capacity. Joel has not taken a salary from his church since 2005. His income and wealth are derived from book advances, book royalties, calendars, speaking fees, and other merchandise. According to financial records published by the Houston Chronicle, in 2017 Lakewood's income was $89 million. After expenses, the church spent $1.2 million on charitable causes. That's 1.3% of income going to charity.
Personal Wealth and Salary
Joel Osteen's book sales, radio show, public speaking fees, and church collection reportedly generate more than $90 million per year in total revenue. When asked about this exceptional income, Joel claims an individual should not feel guilt for possessing lots of material wealth. He instead believes that one needs to simply thank and praise God for the acquired wealth. He claims to take no salary from the church and that he relies on book sales for his income.
Joel Osteen House
Social media detractors like to point out that Joel, his wifeVictoria Osteen, and their children live in a 17,000-square-foot mansion in the Houston suburbs. The Osteens reportedly paid $10.5 million for the home in 2010. According to Zillow, today, the home is worth $14 – $16 million. They continue to own a former Houston home, which is worth an estimated $3 million.
Early Life
Joel Osteen was born Joel Scott Osteen on March 5, 1963, in Houston, Texas. He is one of six children of John Osteen and Dolores Pilgrim. Osteen also has a half-brother from his father's previous marriage, who also lived with the family when Joel was growing up. Osteen graduated from Humble High School in 1981 and went on to study radio and television communications at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He did not graduate.
Ultimately, Joel Osteen's financial journey is a testament to their success.
Disclaimer: All net worth figures are estimates based on public data.
