When you think of spiritual leaders, private jets, multi-million dollar mansions, and vast fortunes don’t usually come to mind. Yet America’s wealthiest pastors have accumulated staggering wealth that rivals many corporate executives and celebrities. We’re talking about hundreds of millions in some cases.
The wealth these religious leaders have amassed comes from various sources. Book royalties, television broadcasting deals, speaking fees, and music ministries form the backbone of their fortunes. Interestingly, several claim they don’t take a single penny in church salary. Net worth estimates vary wildly across different sources, mainly because religious organisations aren’t required to maintain the same financial transparency as public companies.
The 2026 landscape has shifted considerably from previous years. Pat Robertson passed away in June 2023, and Billy Graham died back in February 2018. Meanwhile, younger faces like Steven Furtick have risen to prominence, building massive wealth via modern megachurches and social media influence. The year 2024-2025 also brought significant upheaval, with major scandals, health crises, and leadership transitions reshaping the megachurch world.
Let’s dive into who’s accumulated the most wealth in American pastoral ministry.
Kenneth Copeland ($300-760 Million)
Kenneth Max Copeland stands as America’s undisputed wealthiest pastor. At 88 years old, his fortune is estimated between $300 million and $760 million, depending on which source you consult. The Houston Chronicle hasn’t minced words, calling him “the wealthiest pastor in America.” Copeland himself has admitted to reporters that he’s “a very wealthy man.”
He founded Kenneth Copeland Ministries back in 1967 and now leads Eagle Mountain International Church in Fort Worth, Texas. His ministry operates from an impressive 33-acre compound that looks more like a corporate campus than a traditional church. You’ll find a private airport, television production studios, a medical clinic, and family residences all on the property. His daily broadcast, “Believer’s Voice of Victory,” reaches over three billion potential viewers across 159 countries.
What does $300 million buy you? In Copeland’s case, quite a lot. He lives in an 18,000 square foot lakefront mansion valued between $6.3 and $7 million, classified as a tax-exempt “parsonage.” His aviation collection is particularly notable. He owns a fleet of private jets worth over $40 million, including a Gulfstream V he purchased from Tyler Perry for $20 million. He’s also known for his collection of approximately 36 to 37 Breitling watches, multiple luxury vehicles, and oil and gas investments that generate additional income.
Copeland’s theological approach centres on the prosperity gospel and Word of Faith movement. He teaches that divine favour manifests through material blessing. He’s authored over 85 books, including “From Faith to Faith” and “Blessed to Be a Blessing.”
Recently, Copeland attended the White House Easter Dinner on 16 April 2025 alongside other prominent evangelical leaders. Early 2025 saw viral AI-generated hoax videos falsely claiming he collapsed in court, though these were completely debunked. His most viral moment remains his 2019 defence of private jet ownership, when he called commercial planes a “tube full of demons.”
Joel Osteen ($100 Million)
Joel Scott Osteen, the 62-year-old pastor of Houston’s Lakewood Church, maintains a steady net worth of approximately $100 million to $110 million. Unlike Copeland, Osteen stopped taking a church salary back in 2005. His income now comes entirely from book royalties and speaking engagements, which reportedly generate between $12 million and $15 million annually. Seven of his books have hit number one on the New York Times bestseller list.
Lakewood Church occupies the former Compaq Centre, once home to the Houston Rockets, with a seating capacity of 16,000. The church draws approximately 45,000 to 52,000 weekly attendees. In December 2023, they retired their 19-year, $100 million construction loan.
Osteen’s personal assets include a 17,000 square foot River Oaks mansion he purchased for $10.5 million in 2010. Today, it’s valued between $14 million and $16 million. He also owns a secondary 5,600 square foot Tanglewood home worth roughly $2.9 million to $3 million. Contrary to popular belief, the Daily Mail reported in 2024 that Osteen does not own a private jet.
His preaching style focuses on prosperity theology with a positive, motivational approach. He emphasises hope and “living your best life” rather than traditional doctrines about sin or hell. Theologian Michael Horton didn’t mince words when he called Osteen’s message “heresy” during a 60 Minutes interview in 2007.
The years 2024 and 2025 brought serious challenges to Lakewood Church. On 11 February 2024, a shooting at the church resulted in the gunwoman’s death and injuries to a volunteer and child. Then in March 2025, Aaron Suppes was indicted for threatening to release sarin gas at the church’s 2024 Christmas Eve service. Despite these incidents, Osteen’s January 2025 book “Pray Bold” continued his bestselling streak.
Steven Furtick ($55-90 Million)
Larry Steven Furtick Jr. is the new generation of megachurch wealth. At just 45 years old, his net worth is estimated between $55 million and $90 million. His income streams are diverse. He earns from Elevation Church’s operations, Elevation Worship’s Grammy-winning music ministry, book royalties, and social media platforms that collectively boast 8.8 million followers, generating an estimated $1.2 million to $1.5 million annually.
Furtick’s rise has been meteoric. He founded Elevation Church in 2006 with just 14 members. Today, the church operates 19 campuses (17 in the United States, 2 in Canada) with over 27,000 weekly in-person attendees and 450,000 online viewers. The church reported $91.35 million in revenue for 2024, though this represented a decline from $108 million in 2023. Elevation Church left the Southern Baptist Convention in 2023.
He lives in a $1.7 million, 16,000 square foot mansion on 19.25 acres in Waxhaw, North Carolina. Furtick is known for his taste in designer accessories, including Robert Wayne boots and custom jewellery. He maintains the home was funded by book royalties, not his church salary.
His dynamic, multimedia-driven teaching style has drawn criticism. Some theologians accuse him of modalism, presenting the Trinity as “modes” rather than distinct persons, and promoting prosperity gospel undertones. His 2024 Easter services sparked controversy for avoiding words like “resurrection” and “blood of Jesus” in promotional materials.
The year 2025 brought fresh controversies. Youth pastor Tim Somers was fired over alleged sexual misconduct at a previous church, with critics questioning why Furtick remained silent. He’s also declined to comment on scandals involving his mentor, T.D. Jakes.
T.D. Jakes ($50 Million)
Thomas Dexter Jakes Sr., known as “Bishop Jakes,” has an estimated net worth of $50 million, though some sources place it closer to $20 million. The 68-year-old has built his fortune through The Potter’s House megachurch, more than 40 authored books that have sold over 20 million copies, film production, and speaking fees ranging from $100,000 to $200,000 per engagement.
The Potter’s House in Dallas boasts over 30,000 members across multiple campuses. On 27 April 2025, Jakes announced he was stepping down as senior pastor. He formally installed his daughter Sarah Jakes Roberts and son-in-law Touré Roberts as co-senior pastors on 6 July 2025.
Jakes owns a $5.5 million mansion on 17.8 acres in the Fort Worth area. He earns additional income through speaking and consulting with T.D. Jakes Group and has film production credits including “Heaven is for Real” and “Miracles from Heaven.”
The years 2024 and 2025 were particularly turbulent for Jakes. On 24 November 2024, he suffered what was described as a “massive heart attack” on stage during a sermon. Sexual assault allegations emerged when Duane and Richard Youngblood accused Jakes of attempted assault in the 1980s. Jakes responded by filing a defamation lawsuit in November 2024, backed by 600 pages of evidence.
His name also appeared in a lawsuit mentioning Sean “Diddy” Combs, with speculation that Combs might leverage their relationship. However, Jakes was not named as a defendant, and AI-generated misinformation linking him to Combs’ parties was debunked by Snopes. In March 2025, Jakes told the TODAY Show the allegations represent “misinformation and disinformation.”
Benny Hinn ($40-60 Million)
Toufik Benedictus “Benny” Hinn maintains an estimated net worth between $40 million and $60 million through his Benny Hinn Ministries based in Grapevine, Texas. Born in Jaffa, Israel, the 72-year-old rose to fame through “Miracle Crusades” held in stadiums worldwide and his daily TV programme “This Is Your Day.”
Hinn’s real estate portfolio includes a $9 million mansion in Dana Point, California, which he purchased in 2013 for $3.8 million. He also owns a $2 million condo in Palm Coast, Florida, purchased in 2020. His ministry reportedly generates approximately $100 million annually.
His faith healing and prosperity gospel ministry has faced repeated scrutiny over the years. In a surprising turn, Hinn publicly recanted prosperity teachings in 2019 and again in May 2024. He stated his “two biggest regrets” were inaccurate prophecies and pushing prosperity theology. However, reports suggest he returned to prosperity teachings later in 2024.
February 2024 saw Hinn hold a massive crusade at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi with an estimated 500,000 attendees, including Kenyan President William Ruto. On the personal front, he divorced Suzanne Hinn for the second time in 2024. They first married in 1979, divorced in 2010, remarried in 2013, and divorced again in 2024. A federal tax evasion investigation has been ongoing since 2017.
Andy Stanley ($40-45 Million)
Charles Andrew Stanley, son of the late Dr. Charles Stanley, has built an estimated net worth between $40 million and $45 million through North Point Ministries. He founded the organisation in 1995, and it now encompasses eight campuses in metro Atlanta plus a global network of nearly 180 partner churches.
North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Georgia, draws between 38,000 and 40,000 weekly attendees. Outreach Magazine named it the largest church in America in 2014. Stanley, now 67, earns income through his pastoral salary, more than 20 authored books, speaking engagements, and his podcast and TV programme “Your Move with Andy Stanley.”
His teaching emphasises making faith accessible to younger generations with a “seeker-sensitive” approach. Stanley famously stated that relying solely on biblical authority when evangelising is a “losing tactic.”
October 2023 brought major controversy when Stanley’s “Unconditional Conference” for parents of LGBTQ+ children featured speakers in same-sex marriages described as “Christ-followers.” While affirming that “biblical marriage is between a man and woman,” he suggested that for some people, chastity is “not sustainable.” This drew intense criticism from Al Mohler and other evangelical leaders.
Creflo Dollar ($27-30 Million)
Creflo Augustus Dollar Jr., pastor of World Changers Church International in College Park, Georgia, maintains an estimated net worth between $27 million and $30 million. His church has approximately 30,000 members and operates from The World Dome, an 8,500-seat facility built for $20 million without bank financing.
His assets include multiple multi-million dollar homes in Atlanta and New Jersey, two Rolls-Royces, a private jet (which sparked controversy in 2015 when he requested $65 million for a Gulfstream G650), and Dollar Ranch, his horse breeding company.
What makes Dollar particularly interesting is his theological reversal. On 26 June 2022, he delivered a sermon titled “The Great Misunderstanding” in which he publicly renounced mandatory tithing. He told followers to “throw away every book, every tape, and every video I ever did on the subject of tithing.” He now emphasises “grace-based giving” rather than obligation.
Dollar faced a Senate Finance Committee investigation from 2007 to 2011 and was arrested in 2012 for allegedly assaulting his teenage daughter, though charges were dropped after anger management classes. MinistryWatch currently gives his ministry an “F” grade for financial transparency.
Rick Warren ($25-30 Million)
Richard Duane Warren, author of “The Purpose Driven Life” which has sold over 50 million copies, has an estimated net worth between $25 million and $30 million. What sets the 71-year-old apart from most pastors on this list is his approach to wealth. He lives on 10% of his income, gives 10% to the poor, and has donated back 23 years of church salary to Saddleback Church.
Warren retired in September 2022 after more than 42 years as Saddleback’s lead pastor due to health issues related to spinal myoclonus. He now serves as founding pastor and Executive Director of Finishing the Task mission coalition.
February 2023 brought a major development when Saddleback Church was expelled from the Southern Baptist Convention for having a female teaching pastor, Stacie Wood. The church appealed, but the SBC reaffirmed its decision in May 2023. Saddleback is now listed as nondenominational.
Unlike most pastors on this list, Warren doesn’t own a private jet or yacht. He lives relatively modestly compared to his peers. His son Matthew’s death by suicide in 2013 made Warren and his wife Kay outspoken advocates for mental health awareness.
Jesse Duplantis ($20-50 Million)
Jesse Duplantis, known as “The Apostle of Joy,” has an estimated net worth between $20 million and $50 million through Jesse Duplantis Ministries in Destrehan, Louisiana. The 76-year-old’s prosperity gospel teaching emphasises that faith and generous giving lead to financial blessings.
His assets have sparked considerable controversy. He lives in a 35,000 to 40,000 square foot plantation-style mansion built in the late 2000s for $3 million. He’s owned three private jets over the years. In 2018, he asked followers to fund a $54 million Dassault Falcon 7X, stating, “If Jesus was physically on earth today, he wouldn’t be riding a donkey. He’d be in an aeroplane.”
During a 2016 appearance with Kenneth Copeland, Duplantis defended private jets by calling commercial flights “long tubes with a bunch of demons.” His ministry has been monitored by the Trinity Foundation for over a decade.
Joyce Meyer ($8-15 Million)
Pauline Joyce Meyer has an estimated net worth between $8 million and $15 million through Joyce Meyer Ministries, headquartered in Fenton, Missouri. Her programme “Enjoying Everyday Life” broadcasts in 109 languages worldwide. At 82, she’s one of the most recognised female preachers in America.
What sets Meyer’s ministry apart is its improved transparency. After 2003-2004 scrutiny of her lavish lifestyle (including a notorious $23,000 commode), she took action. Following a 2007 Senate investigation, where she was one of only two ministries to fully comply, her organisation received ECFA accreditation in 2009. The ministry now reports that 86 cents of every donated dollar goes to outreach programmes.
Her assets include a $10 million Gulfstream G-IV private jet, a $2 million home near St. Louis, and a $20 million ministry headquarters.
January 2025 brought a significant decision when Meyer paused programming with Daystar Television Network due to abuse cover-up allegations at the network. Citing her own childhood abuse history, her son Dan Meyer stated, “These allegations are deeply troubling.” Her programming continues on TBN, Lifetime, YouTube, and her ministry app.
Wrap Up
The 2026 list looks markedly different from previous years. Billy Graham died on 21 February 2018 with an estimated $25 million at death. Pat Robertson passed away on 8 June 2023 with an estimated fortune between $100 million and $150 million. His Christian Broadcasting Network continues under his son Gordon Robertson’s leadership.
Major developments in 2024-2025 hit the megachurch landscape as well. Robert Morris of Gateway Church resigned in June 2024 after child sexual abuse allegations emerged. He pleaded guilty in October 2025 to five counts and received a 10-year suspended sentence. T.D. Jakes stepped down from pastoral duties amid his health crisis and ongoing allegations.
Perhaps most significantly, the IRS announced in July 2025 that it would no longer enforce the Johnson Amendment barring churches from political endorsements. This decision reduces future financial scrutiny of megachurches, potentially allowing even greater wealth accumulation without accountability.
Whether you view this wealth as a sign of divine blessing or a troubling distortion of religious principles likely depends on your theological perspective. What’s undeniable is that the intersection of faith and fortune in America has created a class of religious leaders whose wealth rivals corporate executives, all whilst operating under tax exemptions designed for charitable organisations.
