Ordained in the 1950s, Swaggart devoted much of his life to religion, and even launched his own telecast on a small AM radio network. His religion enjoyed tremendous success early on, which made Swaggart want to reach larger audiences and soon enough, he invaded televisions with weekly sermons and an hour-long weekend telecast that aired on over 200 networks.
The LA Times reported that Swaggart’s ministry was so successful in the 1980s that it made over $150 million a year. But, this was rather short lived, as the evangelist’s reputation tanked hard in the late 1980s and early 1990s after facing prostitution and sex scandals. He would later confess via what’s become known as the “I have sinned” speech, which earned him back many of the followers that left him, as well as helping him gain even more.
He’s since built an estimated $1.5 million fortune through his music, radio, and television ministry.
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Charles Stanley
Charles Stanley became a born-again Christian at the young age of 12, and became a minister just two years later when he was still 14. After graduating from the University of Richmond and the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Stanley moved to Atlanta, Georgia and was appointed the pastor at the First Baptist Church. Then, in 1972, he started The Chapel Hour, which was picked up and syndicated by the Christian Broadcasting Network in 1978.
As his popularity continued to rise, Stanley launched In Touch Ministries, which only spread his word on a worldwide scale.
Today, In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley is translated to over 100 languages, and despite boasting a net worth of $1.5 million, the 83-year-old chooses to live a modest life.
R.C Sproul