Joel Osteen is a popular American pastor, author, and televangelist. He is the senior pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas — one of the biggest churches in the United States. Born on March 5, 1963, in Houston, Joel is 62 years old as of 2025. He became widely known for his encouraging sermons and best-selling books like Your Best Life Now.
Joel took over Lakewood Church in 1999 after the death of his father, John Osteen, and helped it grow to more than 50,000 members. In 2025, he mourned the death of his mother, Dolores “Dodie” Osteen, at age 91. Joel continues to preach faith, hope, and success, though his message has been praised by some and criticized by others.
Joel Osteen Wiki/Bio
| Key Info | Details |
| Full Name | Joel Scott Osteen |
| Date of Birth | March 5, 1963 |
| Age | 62 years (as of August 3, 2025) |
| Profession | Pastor, Televangelist, Author |
| Hometown | Houston, Texas, USA |
| Current Residence | Houston, Texas, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| @joelosteen |
Physical Stats
| Feature | Details |
| Height | 5’11” (1.80 m) |
| Weight | Approx. 75–80 kg (165–176 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Brown (graying) |
Early Life
Joel Osteen was born on March 5, 1963, in Houston, Texas. He is one of six children of John and Dolores “Dodie” Osteen, who founded Lakewood Church. As a child, Joel was shy and worked behind the scenes, helping his father with church television broadcasts.
He did not plan to become a preacher at first. But after his father died in 1999, Joel decided to take the stage — and quickly became famous for his simple, positive way of preaching. In July 2025, he shared a touching tribute to his mother after her death, calling her the heart of their church family.
Education
| Level | Institution |
| School | Humble High School, Texas |
| University | Oral Roberts University, Oklahoma |
| Degree | No degree (studied TV & radio) |
Joel graduated from Humble High School in 1981. He went to Oral Roberts University to study radio and television communications but left before finishing his degree. His media background helped him grow Lakewood’s television and online presence.
Family
| Relation | Name |
| Father | John Osteen (died 1999) |
| Mother | Dolores “Dodie” Osteen (died 2025) |
| Siblings | Paul, Lisa, Tamara, April, Justin (one deceased) |
| Spouse | Victoria Osteen (married since 1987) |
| Children | Jonathan Osteen, Alexandra Osteen |
Joel married Victoria Osteen in 1987. She is also a pastor and co-leads Lakewood Church with him. Their children, Jonathan and Alexandra, are involved in music and ministry at the church. Joel lives with his family in River Oaks, Houston.
Career
Joel became the senior pastor of Lakewood Church in 1999. Under his leadership, the church grew from 5,000 members to over 50,000. His weekly TV sermons reach more than 10 million viewers.
He has written several best-selling books like Your Best Life Now and Think Better, Live Better. Joel also travels for events like Night of Hope, and in 2018, he welcomed Kanye West for a Sunday Service at Lakewood.
In 2024, after a tragic shooting at the church, Joel led a healing service and continued to spread hope in his sermons. In 2025, he released new devotionals and made a guest appearance on the New Heights podcast with Travis Kelce.
Career Highlights
| Year | Highlight |
| 1999 | Became senior pastor of Lakewood Church |
| 2004 | Released Your Best Life Now, a New York Times bestseller |
| 2016 | Published Think Better, Live Better |
| 2018 | Hosted Kanye West’s Sunday Service at Lakewood |
| 2024 | Led church through healing after shooting |
| 2025 | Continued devotionals and appeared on New Heights podcast |
Net Worth
| Category | Details |
| Estimated Worth | $50 million – $100 million |
| Income Sources | Book sales, media broadcasts, public events |
| Main Asset | $10.5 million mansion in River Oaks, Houston |
| Church Salary | Joel says he does not take a salary from Lakewood |
Joel earns his wealth through books and media. Though Lakewood Church collects over $40 million yearly, he has said that he doesn’t take a church salary. In 2025, he again denied owning a private jet after online rumors.
Controversies
- Prosperity Gospel Criticism: Some pastors and church leaders say Joel’s focus on success and money is not true to Bible teachings.
- Hurricane Harvey (2017): People criticized him for not opening the church during the storm, though he later said the building was flooded and later gave help.
- Hidden Church Funds (2021): $600,000 was found in a bathroom wall at Lakewood, linked to a 2014 robbery. Joel was never charged.
- 2024 Shooting: A gunwoman opened fire at Lakewood in 2024. While Joel was not involved, the event led to questions about church safety.
