JOEL OSTEEN – EST. $100 MILLION

Joel Osteen is a televangelist, preacher, and author. He gained recognition for being the pastor of the Lakewood Church, which is based in Houston, Texas. Osteen inherited the church, as well as its television ministry, from his father. However, it had been much smaller back then. When he took over the role of being pastor, Osteen had no formal religious training and knew what he did from watching his father work for 17 whole years. To his credit, despite this fact, he was able to grow the church significantly. He was even included in Barbara Walters’ list of the 10 Most Fascinating People of 2006.

These days, the Lakewood Church broadcast can be seen in over 100 countries. The church now welcomes an average of 50,000 parishioners weekly. Osteen makes most of his earnings through his best-selling books and his speaking tours, which often sell out.