Similar to the other pastors found on this list, Danforth first got his start as a politician. He first served as the Attorney General of Missouri from 1969 to 1976 after being elected to the United States Senate. He would then spend 19 years of his life in the Senate before serving as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations from 2004 to 2005.
At the age of 79, he stepped away from politics and focused on his career as an ordained Episcopal priest. He’s also the part owner of the St. Louis Blues of the national Hockey League, and author of the controversial book, The Relevance of Religion: How Faithful People Can Change Politics.
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Robert Tilton
One of the first bring televangelism and infomercials together in the 1990s, Robert Tilton experienced tremendous success with his religious television program called Success-N-Life. Using the structure of an infomercial to spread the Christian message, the series was so popular that it was broadcasted to over 200 American television markets. At its height, the show was one of the “fastest growing television ministry in America” and reportedly earned over $80 million in revenue annually.
Everything, however, would come crashing down in 1991 after Tilton was investigated for his fundraising methods. Accused of preying on vulnerable people – on national TV no less – Tilton and Success-N-Life were taken off the air in just two years.
Now 70, Robert Tilton has since returned to television on The World Network and BET, and currently boasts a net worth of $50 million.
Janice Crouch