Virgil Abloh (deceased)
$100 million
Joel Osteen’s net worth is estimated at $100 million, making him one of the wealthiest religious figures in the United States. Osteen serves as the senior pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas — the largest congregation in America — and has built a media and publishing empire on top of his ministry work. His books, televised sermons, and speaking engagements have generated income that far exceeds a typical pastor’s earnings.
Updated March 2026: According to Forbes and reporting by TheStreet, Osteen’s net worth remains in the $100 million range, supported by book royalties and speaking fees. Lakewood Church’s weekly attendance has reportedly declined from a peak of approximately 45,000 to around 32,000 by 2026, though Osteen’s personal financial position remains strong given the continued sale of his backlist titles and ongoing media presence.
Joel Scott Osteen was born on March 5, 1963, in Houston, Texas, the fifth of six children of John Osteen and Dolores Pilgrim. His father, John Osteen, founded Lakewood Church in 1959 in a former feed store. Joel grew up immersed in the evangelical Christian environment his father created, and he attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, studying radio and television communications — though he left without completing his degree.
Rather than immediately entering ministry, Osteen worked behind the scenes at Lakewood Church for 17 years, producing his father’s television program. He preached his very first sermon on January 16, 1999, just one week before his father, John Osteen, died of a heart attack on January 23, 1999. Joel was subsequently appointed senior pastor by the church board at age 35.
Under Joel Osteen’s leadership, Lakewood Church grew from approximately 6,000 weekly attendees in 1999 to more than 45,000 by the mid-2010s — the largest Protestant congregation in U.S. history. In 2003, the church acquired the former Compaq Center arena in Houston, spending approximately $100 million to renovate the 16,800-seat venue. Osteen led a campaign to pay off the entire $100 million construction loan debt.
Osteen’s televised services reach an estimated 10 million domestic viewers weekly and air in more than 100 countries. His 2004 debut book, Your Best Life Now, spent more than 200 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and sold over 4 million copies. He followed with Become a Better You (2007), which received a reported $13 million advance from publisher Free Press — one of the largest advances in religious publishing history. In total, Osteen has sold more than 20 million books across all titles. He stopped accepting a salary from Lakewood Church in 2005, relying entirely on book and speaking income.
Lakewood Church reported total revenue of approximately $89 million in 2017, according to filings obtained by media outlets. The church’s finances have faced scrutiny, particularly after flooding from Hurricane Harvey in 2017 prompted public criticism when Lakewood initially delayed opening its doors as a shelter.
Joel Osteen married Victoria Iloff on April 4, 1987. Victoria, known publicly as Victoria Osteen, serves as co-pastor of Lakewood Church and is a prominent voice in the ministry. The couple has two children: Jonathan Osteen and Alexandra Osteen, both of whom have taken on roles within Lakewood’s operations. The family resides in their River Oaks estate in Houston.
Osteen’s prosperity theology — often summarized as the “health and wealth” gospel — has attracted significant criticism from theologians and mainstream Christian leaders who argue it conflates material success with spiritual favor. Supporters, however, cite his message of hope and positivity as transformative for millions of followers globally.
Joel Osteen’s net worth is estimated at $100 million, according to multiple financial reporting sources including TheStreet. The bulk of this wealth comes from book advances and royalties, not from his church, as Osteen stopped taking a pastoral salary in 2005.
Joel Osteen’s wife is Victoria Osteen (née Iloff), whom he married on April 4, 1987. Victoria serves alongside Joel as co-pastor of Lakewood Church and is a published author in her own right, having written Love Your Life (2008).
Joel Osteen was born on March 5, 1963, making him 63 years old as of March 2026. He was born and raised in Houston, Texas, the son of Lakewood Church founder John Osteen.
Joel Osteen stands approximately 5 feet 11.5 inches tall (1.82 meters), according to biographical sources. He is known for his polished appearance during televised services and public appearances.
Osteen does not receive a salary from Lakewood Church. His income comes primarily from book royalties — his publishing deal for Become a Better You alone was reported at $13 million — and speaking fees ranging from $100,000 to $200,000 per engagement, per TheStreet. Annual estimates range from $10 million to $55 million depending on the year.
Joel Osteen lives in a 17,000 square-foot mansion in River Oaks, one of Houston, Texas’s most affluent neighborhoods. The property is valued at approximately $14 million. Lakewood Church itself is located in the former Compaq Center arena in Houston, renovated at a cost of approximately $100 million.
Joel Osteen and his wife Victoria have two children: Jonathan Osteen and Alexandra Osteen. Both children have been involved in Lakewood Church’s ministry and programming as adults.