Kenneth Max Copeland is a well-known American televangelist and author who is known for his teachings on the principles of faith, prosperity, and healing. He is the founder and president of Kenneth Copeland Ministries, a multi-million dollar Christian organization based in Tarrant County, Texas. Copeland is a prominent figure in the Word of Faith movement, which teaches that believers can tap into the power of faith to achieve health, prosperity, and success in their lives. Copeland is also a popular speaker and author, and has written numerous books on faith, prosperity, and healing.
Early Life of Kenneth Copeland
Kenneth Copeland was born on 6thDecember 1936 at Lubbock Texas. Just a few years before the 2nd world war, his childhood was filled with economic and political turmoil faced by the world. His parents were Aubrey Wayne and Vinita Pearl. During his early age, his aim was to be a pilot. It stemmed from the location of his home. His home in West Texas was near the United States Army Air Forces airfield. Growing by watching those majestic fighter planes above the sky certainly intruded him to be a pilot. He did initially become a pilot but later became televangelist where he found most success. He was Christian and devoted to God from a young age.
Professional Career of Kenneth Copeland
His followers would be surprised to know that Kenneth Copeland started his career as a recording artist. His song “pledge of love” was billboard top 40 hit in April 1957. His song was mostly about devotion and love towards god and gospel.
He studied in Oral Roberts University around 1967. He initially worked as the pilot and also the chauffeur for Oral Roberts. Shortly after his sort of baptism, he himself established an Eagle Mountain International Church Inc. in Tarrant County, Texas. He is a televangelist, not just some random one, but one of the most popular in the world. He had established the Kenneth Copeland Ministries to preach about Jesus. Its motto is “Jesus is Lord”. He primarily talks about the love, faith and prosperity based on Jesus. He was deeply moved after his attendance at Kenneth E. Hagin’s pastor seminars. He alongside his wife Gloria then founded this establishment. Conventions were usually held through this organization and were not limited to the USA.
He had made better utilization of the internet as his conventions and events were broadcasted live on the internet. So his followers who could not attend those events now had the opportunity to stream it live. His organization also branched out to education as Kenneth Copeland Bible College had been established.
In his career, he has successfully released a lot of movies. The Gunslinger, Judgement: The Trial of Commander Kelley, The Rally, The Rally-LA, Covenant Rider, Superkid Academy: The Mission, and The Treasure of Eagle Mountain are a few of them. Additionally, he put out a number of songs, including “Pledge of Love” in 1957. “In His Presence”, his album, was published in 1989.
He also writes motivational books. Leather Bound, A Ceremony of Marriage, The Wake-up Call, You Are Healed, and Pursuit of His Presence: Daily Devotional are only a few of the works written by Kenneth Copeland. Apart from that Kenneth is also seen as a public speaker.
Kenneth Copeland Marriage and Family Life, Children
At the young age of 20, he got married to Ivy Bodiford. At that time, he was working as a recording artist. They also share a daughter, Teerri Pearson. However, after only 2 years of marriage they got divorced. He had been briefly married to Cynthia Davies between 1958 to 1961.
In 1963 he tied the knot to Gloria Neece. They are still together and going strong. They had one daughter Kellie Swisher and son John Copeland.
His son, John is supporting his father in his work as he is the Minister Chief Operating Officer at his father’s establishment. His daughter would also make him proud as she is a preacher like her father. Her husband George Pearson is also a pastor at Eagles Mountain International. The whole family is religious in nature.
What is the Net Worth of Kenneth Copeland?
By promoting Christian beliefs from television he had become one of the richest televangelists. Kenneth Copeland’s estimated net worth is jaw dropping $760 million according to 2018 list of richest person. As of 2022/23 he is more worth than $800 million. Not to mention, he is regularly showered with gifts such as cars and other profitable assets.
Copeland Ministries located at Newark, New Jersey own the 1,500 acres of land. This establishment also had numerous jets that cost millions to commute to the ministry.
Nevertheless his establishment is extremely wealthy. It owns 33 acres of land in Tarrant district. Its property includes a church, its own television and radio production facilities, lavish residences and its own warehouse and distribution facilities. It’s reported it also includes its own Kenneth Copeland Airport.
Not only that, from the generosity of his followers, establishment property also included Cessna 550 Citation Bravo and Cessna 750 Citation X which are used by the organization for domestic and international flights respectively. For disaster relief efforts around the world, they also own the Beech H-18 Twin.
Controversial Life of Kenneth Copeland
With him being in the limelight, there is bound to be controversy. Some of them were unfulfilled promises and outlandish claims and some were against the betterment of society. In 2006, Haiti suffered from a disastrous flood. With him claiming to be the voice of god, he declared that his organization would aid in despair. But with the media continuously assessing the situation, it was reported that he did not live up to his claim. This led to massive 2006 angel flight 44 controversies.
He had also been widely criticized for this affiliation to Mike Huckabee. In the 2008 American Presidential election, Mike, a former governor of Arkansas was the primary presidential candidate for the Republican Party. Mike Huckabee however was not seen in a positive light for his ad choice of words for a wide range of sensitive issues; American Muslim, concentration camps, abortion holocaust, marriage, Israel and even amendment of constitution. This did not sit well with the general public when he openly held a fundraiser for Mike Huckabee in his church.
His judgment of public health was again in question as he bizarrely standed against the measles vaccine during the 2013 outbreak. He proclaimed faith in god would heal the diseases and not the scientifically created vaccine. With people dying and suffering from measles, such propaganda was also not well received. This was again seen during the corona virus outbreak when he sneaked similar proclaims.
The famous televangelist also faced accusations on the financial front. In 2015, he had been accused of accusation of mere (as corresponding to his fortune) $6.3 million tax evasion for his mansion. It was reported that he used his property for parsonage allowance and hence was not subjected to income tax. Moreover he and his organization were subjected to tax evasion issues for their other properties too. Successful petition was filed to make the aircrafts Tax-exempt assets in 2010.
Star Facts of Kenneth Copeland
Full Name | Kenneth Max Copeland |
Nick Name | |
Gender | Male |
Profession | American televangelist and Author |
Citizenship | American |
Birthplace | Lubbock, Texas, United States |
Date of Birth | 6th December, 1936 |
Age | 86 years (as of 2022) |
Height | Feet & Inches: 5’6” Centimeters: 169 cm Meters: 1.69 m |
Weight | Kilograms 65 kg Pounds 143 lbs. |
Marital Status | Married |
Spouse | Gloria Neece(m. 1963) |
Ex-wives | Ivy Bodiford and Cynthia Davies |
Children | Three (Kellie Copeland Swisher, Terri Pearsons, John Copeland) |
Net Worth | $760 million |
Social Media |
