Marion Gordon 'Pat' Robertson was a prominent American televangelist, media mogul, conservative political commentator, charismatic Christian minister, and evangelical broadcaster who significantly influenced the intersection of religion and politics in the United States. Born on March 22, 1930, in Lexington, Virginia, into a prominent political family—his father, Absalom Willis Robertson, was a long-serving U.S. Senator—Robertson pursued a diverse path that included military service in the Korean War, legal education at Yale, and a profound religious conversion leading to his ordination as a Southern Baptist minister. He founded the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) in 1960, transforming it into a global media empire with flagship programs like The 700 Club, which he hosted for decades. Robertson also established key institutions such as Regent University (1977), the Christian Coalition of America (1989), and the American Center for Law and Justice (1990), advocating for conservative Christian values, pro-family policies, religious freedoms, pro-Israel policies, and Christian missions. His 1988 presidential campaign as a Republican candidate galvanized the Christian right, helping to shape the party's ideological direction and contributing to events like the 1994 Republican takeover of Congress.

Robertson's influence extended to humanitarian efforts through Operation Blessing International (1978) and business ventures, including the sale of the Family Channel to News Corporation for $1.9 billion in 1997, amassing substantial personal wealth estimated between $200 million and $1 billion, though he disputed these figures. A prolific author of 24 books, including New York Times bestsellers like The New World Order, he was a staunch advocate for conservative ideologies, often blending faith with political commentary. However, his career was marked by numerous controversies, including inflammatory statements blaming societal tragedies on groups like feminists, homosexuals, and the ACLU after 9/11 (2001), and suggesting the 2010 Haiti earthquake was divine retribution for a historical 'pact with the Devil.' He was criticized for promoting conspiracy theories and for the financial practices of his organizations, which faced scrutiny over asset allocation and executive compensation.

Robertson passed away on June 8, 2023, in Virginia Beach, Virginia, at age 93, leaving a legacy as a pivotal figure in the rise of the Religious Right. His networks of influence connected evangelical Christianity with Republican politics, impacting policy on issues like abortion, religious liberty, and international aid, while his media platforms reached millions worldwide. Despite his achievements in education, philanthropy, and broadcasting, Robertson's polarizing rhetoric and alleged profiteering from ministry funds drew ongoing criticism from secular and progressive groups.