TV Evangelist Pat Robertson has passed away at the age of 93 at his home in Virginia, the Christian Broadcasting Network confirmed in a statement.

“Pat Robertson, longtime TV host, religious broadcaster, educator, humanitarian, and one-time presidential candidate died at his home in Virginia Beach early Thursday morning. He was 93,” the statement read.

Regent University in Virginia also issued a statement and said it was mourning the loss of their founder.

Regent University Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs William L. Hathaway said: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved founder.

“Dr. Robertson was a globally-renowned leader, broadcaster, philanthropist, educator, author, accomplished businessman, and – most importantly – a faithful servant of God who dedicated his life to glorifying the Lord and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Robertson was born in Virginia on March 22, 1930. He was the son of Absalom Willis Robertson, who served almost forty years as a US Representative and Senator from Virginia.

It was in 1960 when he founded the network and hosted ‘The 700 Club’, offering not only prayers but also comments on politics.

In 1980, his show helped gain support among Christian conservatives for Rep Ronald Reagan’s successful campaign for president.

He founded the Christian Coalition, which proved to be a powerful mobilizer for the conservative religious voters who have become a core constituency for the Republican Party, Reuters reported.

Over the years, he made a series of controversial and inflammatory opinions, repeatedly saying that natural disasters or acts of terrorism were a form of divine retribution for perceived immorality.

After the 9/11, he agreed with another televangelist Jerry Falwell that God let the terrorists attack as America had moved to the left.

“I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America, I point the finger in their face and say, ‘You helped this happen,’” Falwell stated on ‘The 700 Club.’

Robertson then replied: “I totally concur and the problem is we have adopted that agenda at the highest levels of our government.”

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