T. D. Jakes Net Worth

What is T. D. Jakes' Net Worth?

T.D. Jakes is an American bishop, bestselling author, media mogul, and filmmaker who has a net worth of $50 million. T. D. Jakes founded the Potter's House, a non-denominational American megachurch, in 1996 in Dallas, Texas. With a congregation of over 30,000 members, it has become one of the most prominent churches in the United States. More importantly for his net worth, TD is the founder of TDJ Enterprises, a media powerhouse that, according to an article from Black Enterprise in 2014, had generated $400 million in gross revenue in the previous two decades.

Jakes is the author of over 40 books, several of which have become New York Times bestsellers. According to Black Enterprise, his publishing efforts have collectively sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, generating an estimated $115 million in gross revenue. His breakout book, "Woman, Thou Art Loosed!" has sold over 1 million copies, was later adapted into a stage play and a feature film, and helped establish him as a household name. Jakes's sermons and writings often emphasize self-help and empowerment, resonating with a wide audience beyond traditional churchgoers.

Beyond his pastoral work, Jakes has made significant contributions to the entertainment industry, particularly through faith-based films and television shows. He produced successful films like "Heaven is for Real" and "Miracles from Heaven," which blended his religious and motivational messages with mainstream media.

Jakes has received numerous honors and accolades for his work, including being featured on the cover of Time Magazine, which called him 'America's Best Preacher.' He also frequently appears on national television and hosts the T.D. Jakes Show, discussing various societal and spiritual issues.

Early Life

Thomas Dexter Jakes Sr., better known by his initials T.D. Jakes, was born on June 9, 1957, in South Charleston, West Virginia. He was raised in Vandalia, West Virginia.

Preaching Career

In 1982, at age 25, Jakes became the pastor of Greater Emanuel Temple of Faith, a storefront church in Smithers, West Virginia, with just ten members. Then, in 1988, he joined the Christian denomination Higher Ground Always Abounding Assemblies, which Bishop Sherman Watkins founded. Then, in 1990, Jakes moved to South Charleston, West Virginia, where his congregation grew to 300 members. Following that, in 1993, Jakes moved to Cross Lanes, West Virginia, where his congregation once again grew, this time to more than 1,100 people. Of those people in his congregation, 60 percent were African American, and 40 percent were Caucasian.

In 1995, he began to move into the world of publishing and media when he founded the firm TDJ Enterprises. The company published his books, and also is responsible for producing his films. Then, from 1995 to 1996, Jakes served as the host of his own syndicated weekly radio and television show "Get Ready", which had national distribution. In 2009, he tried to return to television with a partnership with CBS Television Distribution and Dr. Phil McGraw and Jay McGraw, with plans for them to launch a syndicated, secular talk show. However, the project never got off the ground. His own show, "T.D. Jakes," was launched in partnership with Tegna, Inc. and Debmar-Mercury in 2015 and aired in over 50 markets across the country. It was canceled in 2017 due to poor ratings.

The Potter's House

In 1996, Jakes moved to Dallas, Texas, and founded the non-denominational church The Potter's House. It features a 34-acre hilltop campus with a 5,000-seat auditorium, in addition to offices for employees and staff. He did not relocate to Dallas alone; his wife, children, and a staff of 50 employees all moved with him. By 1998, he had grown his congregation to over 14,000 members. T.D. Jakes Ministries (the nonprofit arm of his outreaches) reportedly grossed $19 million in revenue in the year 2000, and the church's events have only grown since then. In 2005, Jakes accompanied President George W. Bush on his visit to the areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

The church has grown to about 30,000 members with a main campus that seats 8,000+ worshippers, plus multiple satellite campuses and a large online audience.

(Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

TDJ Enterprises

In addition to his work as a bishop, Jakes has built TDJ Enterprises into a full-scale media and events company that spans publishing, music, film, conferences, and digital platforms. The firm has generated nearly $400 million in total revenue since the mid-1990s, according to Black Enterprise. Jakes has produced or executive produced major faith-based films including, "Woman Thou Art Loosed" (2004), "Not Easily Broken" (2009), "Jumping the Broom" (2011), "Munya" (2010), "Sparkle" (2012), "Heaven Is for Real" (2014), "Winnie Mandela" (2014), "Miracles from Heaven" (2016), and "Faith Under Fire" (2018).

Books

Jakes has published numerous books. Some of the titles he has written include "Woman Thou Art Loosed: Healing the Wounds of the Past" (1993), "So You Call Yourself a Man?" (1997), "He-Motions" (2004), "Reposition Yourself: Living Life Without Limits" (2007), "Let it Go: Forgive So You Can Be Forgiven" (2012), "Instinct: The Power to Unleash Your Inborn Drive" (2014), "Destiny: Step into Your Purpose" (2015), "Soar!: Build Your Vision from the Ground Up" (2017), "Crushing" (2019), among many, many others.

Honors & Awards

Jakes had received numerous honors, including 13 honorary degrees and doctorates from various institutions. He has also received Grammy and Dove Award nominations for his gospel album "Live from The Potter's House" (1998), and he actually won a Grammy Award at the 46th Grammy Awards in 2003 for his gospel album "A Wing and a Prayer." His other musical publications include the albums "Woman Thou Art Loosed" (1997) and "The Storm Is Over" (2001). He has been named among America's Top 10 Religious Leaders by both PBS Religion and Ethics Newsweekly. He was also featured on the cover of the September 17, 2001 issue of Time magazine.

Media & Speaking Engagements

Jakes is also a sought-after public speaker. In 2013, he was reportedly paid nearly $150,000 for a single day of preaching at the Hillsong Conference in Sydney—one of the highest honorariums ever disclosed by the church. His conferences, including the biannual MegaFest in Dallas, draw tens of thousands of attendees and have a major economic impact on host cities, contributing to his earnings from ticket sales, merchandise, and media rights.

Real Estate

In December 2004, Jakes bought an 18-acre estate in Fort Worth, Texas. He eventually purchased additional surrounding properties. Today, he owns three homes across 23 acres in the area, forming a vast private compound. In the early 2010s, county appraisals valued Jakes's primary Fort Worth residence around $4.4 million (down from a peak appraised value of $5.47M in 2011). The adjacent home acquired by the Jakes family in 2005 (6,236 sq. ft.) was valued above $1.2 million in recent property records. In total, the combined Fort Worth properties are estimated to be worth roughly $5.4–$5.5 million today.

Prior to Fort Worth, Jakes lived in an elegant mansion at 4001 W. Lawther Drive in Dallas, overlooking White Rock Lake. The 10,681 sq. ft. home (5 bed, 6.5 bath) was built in 1987 and purchased by Jakes in 1990. The property spans 1.95 acres of prime lakefront land, featuring a grand double-staircase entry, a gym with sauna, a pool with cabana, a koi pond, and other resort-like features. Jakes sold this Dallas home in 2005 when he moved to Fort Worth. Years later, the mansion hit the market in 2019 for $5.75 million, and it ultimately sold in 2020 for an estimated $4–$4.4 million.

Personal Life

Jakes married his wife, Serita Jakes, in 1982. The couple have five children together.

Who's Richer?

T.
D. Jakes

Compare!

Bobby
Brown