Famous televangelist Paul Crouch died on Saturday in his home at Orange, Calif. According to his network he has been suffering a degenerative heart disease for years.
Crouch who fell ill back in October of this year was brought to a Dallas hospital when he visited his company in Texas.
The network founder, who started his company along with wife Janice, founded the Trinity Broadcasting Network back in 1973 in Santa Ana, Ca. The New York Times reports that the network then expanded out worldwide running on 84 satellites. The network also boasts of more than 18,000 TV cable affiliations and an amusement park.
A statement was released on Saturday from the network mourning the passing of their founder. "We mourn Paul's passing and he will be greatly missed. But we know, as the old hymn reminds us, soon enough we will see him again in that great 'meeting in the air.'"
Crouch went under fire with critics due to his advocacy. According to this advocacy, donating will eventually lead to people earning more for themselves. And, as of reports back in 2010, by donations alone Crouch's company earned $93 million.
In 2012, his granddaughter and her husband filed a lawsuit against the company. Allegations were made against the network and its founder of $50 million worth of 'financial improprieties' and lavish spending that includes mansions and jets. According to some, TBN has been accused of spending tax-exempt donations for personal use.
Paul Crouch is survived by his wife and two sons.
