Lakewood Church Co-founder Dolores Osteen Dies at 91

Dolores Osteen, co-founder of Lakewood Church and beloved matriarch of the Osteen family, has died at the age of 91. Affectionately known as “Mama Dodie,” she passed away from natural causes, her family confirmed.

Her son, Joel Osteen, announced the news on Thursday in a heartfelt message shared on X, formerly Twitter. “It is with a heavy heart that Victoria and I, along with our family, announce the passing of our cherished mother and grandmother, Dolores ‘Dodie’ Osteen,” he wrote.

The death of Mrs. Osteen has drawn condolences from around the world, including from former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who described her as “a remarkable woman of deep faith and resilience.” He noted that her legacy would endure through the ongoing work of Lakewood Church and the many lives she touched with her unwavering kindness and spiritual devotion.

Dolores Osteen co-founded Lakewood Church with her husband, John Osteen, in 1959. The church has since grown into one of the largest and most influential Christian congregations in the United States.