Pat Robertson Fun Facts: 10 Things You Might Not Know About the Evangelical Leader

Pat Robertson is perhaps the most recognizable name in the world when it comes to evangelical television personalities. The man who founded the Christian Broadcasting Network and hosts "The 700 Club" has moved his way into mass media stardom – both due to the people who like him and those who loathe him.

While he makes his views extremely clear when it comes to topics of conduct and religion, there are many things about him that the general public does not know. Here are 10 fun facts about evangelical leader Pat Robertson.

SPECIAL: Prayer Changes Your Brain in 4 Amazing Ways

1. According to Biography.com, Robertson aspired to earn the Republican Party's presidential nomination in 1988 – but he was not successful.

2. Robertson's given name is Marion Gordon Robertson, but he earned the nickname Pat as a baby because his older brother would pat his chubby cheeks and say "pat, pat, pat."

3. Robertson's father, A. Willis Robertson, was a career politician who served in the Senate of Virginia from 1916 to 1922, the United States House of Representatives from 1933 to 1946, and the U.S. Senate from 1946 until 1966.

4. Robertson served in the Marines, spending World War II stints in Japan and Korea. He was awarded three battle stars from the Marine Corps and was a first lieutenant.

5. Robertson was a boxer in high school, at McCallie Prep School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He said he was a heavyweight at ages 14 and 15 and that he reached the finals of a local competition.

ALERT: When Do You Think Christ Is Returning? Vote Now

6. Robertson founded Regent University in 1978 and is the school's chancellor. The Virginia Beach, Virginia, campus touted a fall 2014 enrollment of 6,158 students and it offers more than 70 degree programs.

7. Robertson is a graduate of Yale University Law School, receiving a Juris doctorate in 1955, and the New York Theological Seminary, earning a master of divinity in 1959.

8. Robertson's net worth is estimated to be between $200 million and $1 billion.

9. Robertson has authored 18 books during his lifetime, and three of his books were named the No. 1 religious book in the nation in their respective years of publication.

10. Robertson founded the CBN in 1960 and at the time it was the United States' first Christian television network. Now, the network can be seen in 200 nations.

SPECIAL: Can Prayer Heal You? Dr. Crandall Discovered the Truth

Related Stories:

• Pat Robertson Quotes on Faith: 10 Memorable Statements From Christian Evangelist
  
• Pat Robertson Quotes on Love: 7 Memorable Statements From Evangelical Christian Leader