By Michael Gryboski, Editor Thursday, May 07, 2026

Joni Lamb, the founder and president of the prominent Texas-based Christian broadcaster Daystar, has died at the age of 65.

Daystar issued a statement Thursday confirming that Lamb had died earlier Thursday morning, citing “serious health matters” that were exacerbated by a recent back injury as the cause of death.

“Lamb had been dealing with serious health matters that she chose to face head on and in private,” stated Daystar. “Despite the dedicated efforts of her medical team and the prayers of so many around the world, her condition worsened in the last few days.”

The Christian broadcaster noted that, under her leadership, Daystar “grew into one of the largest Christian television networks in the world, reaching viewers in nearly every country through satellite, cable, streaming, and digital platforms.”

“Joni’s love for the Lord and for the people we serve shaped this ministry from the beginning,” said the Daystar Board of Directors, as quoted in the statement. “We grieve her loss, and we are grateful for the legacy of faith she leaves behind.”

Christian author Max Davis, who was working on a book with Lamb, took to his Facebook account to offer his condolences, saying that there was “an unreal amount of grief and pressure on Joni, yet her faith never wavered.”

“I knew her as someone who wasn't perfect, but loved the Lord deeply, her family, and was passionate about the gospel,” stated Davis. “I am saddened, but I also know she is with the Lord. I pray this will reunite her family.”

Joni Lamb was preceded in death by her first husband of 39 years, Marcus Lamb. She is survived by her second husband, Doug Weiss, as well as three children and their families.

Born in Colleyville, Texas, in 1960, Joni Lamb and her first husband founded Daystar in 1993, with the company eventually reaching millions of homes worldwide through multiple platforms.

Daystar’s programming was not without controversy, as critics have charged that some of the preachers platformed on the broadcasting company included those who espoused ideas like prosperity gospel, which claims that believers can achieve health and wealth if they are religious enough.

In 2024, the Trinity Foundation, an American Christian ministry watchdog group, reported allegations that Joni lamb was using Daystar’s ministry jet for personal reasons for the past couple of years.

The Foundation noted that while it was legal for Lamb to do so, this came under the condition that a special tax be paid to the Internal Revenue Service known as a Standard Industry Fare Level.

That same year, Joni Lamb’s son, Jonathan Lamb, and his wife, Suzy Lamb, told The Roys Report that they believed a family member identified as “Pete” had sexually abused their daughter.

When Suzy Lamb reported the situation to Joni Lamb, she claimed she had been told not to report the alleged abuse to the police and implied that Joni Lamb might have told her granddaughter to stop talking about the abuse.

For her part, Joni Lamb later insisted that her granddaughter had accused a boy at her preschool of touching her and not “Pete.” The family member also denied any wrongdoing, with police ultimately not filing any charges against the alleged abuser.

"Daystar fully cooperated with law enforcement's investigation. In addition, 'Pete' denied any wrongdoing, and he voluntarily agreed to be interviewed by the Colleyville Police Department," stated Daystar at the time.

"No evidence has ever existed implicating 'Pete' in any crime, and no charges are being brought against 'Pete.' The absence of any evidence of any wrongdoing by 'Pete' is underscored by the closing of this investigation, which further confirms there was never any mishandling — as falsely argued by some on social media — on the part of Daystar and its leadership.”

Joni Lamb would later claim that her son was engaged in a “smear campaign” against her as part of a broader effort to take control of Daystar following the death of Joni’s husband Marcus Lamb in November 2021.

A couple of days before her death, former 700 Club Canada co-host Laura-Lynn Tyler Thompson tweeted that Joni and her husband had mysteriously no-showed a birthday party for Paula White-Cain.

“Where’s Joni?” she asked.

News Source : https://www.christianpost.com/news/joni-lamb-daystar-president-and-founder-dies-at-65.html