By Leah MarieAnn Klett, Assistant Editor Monday, April 27, 2026

Marilyn Hickey, a pioneering Christian minister whose decades-long global outreach and television ministry made her one of the most recognizable voices in Charismatic Christianity, died Saturday. She was 94.

Her ministry announced her death in a statement shared on Facebook Sunday afternoon, saying, “It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Dr. Marilyn Hickey on Saturday, April 25, 2026. A faithful servant of God, Marilyn dedicated her life to covering the earth with God's Word — inspiring faith in countless lives.”

Her daughter, author and Bible teacher Sarah Bowling, confirmed the news Sunday in a social media message, adding: “She was an incredible person in so very many ways.”

Born July 1, 1931, Hickey devoted more than six decades to preaching the Gospel, founding Marilyn Hickey Ministries with a vision to “cover the earth with the Word.” Her ministry spanned continents through television broadcasts, large-scale evangelistic meetings and teaching resources that emphasized salvation and divine healing.

Hickey’s international ministries included outreach to Islamic-majority nations. In 2016, she held a historic healing meeting in Karachi, Pakistan, that drew more than 1 million attendees, according to her ministry.

In a 2012 interview with The Christian Post, she reflected on having a “great heart” for the people of Pakistan and shared how, at gatherings, she first taught about Jesus’ healing power. 

"Then I pray for everything," Hickey said. "I have them stand and put their hand on their head and pray for everything [things plaguing their lives — diseases, etc.] ... [Then] they come and testify. And I acknowledge that it's in the name of Jesus I pray. I say, 'Jesus healed you.'"

She also told CP that the greatest miracle she witnessed was when Christ came into her life. "When I was 16, I prayed. That was the greatest miracle of my life. I invited Jesus to come in, to be a part of my life, and to forgive my sins."

Hickey also engaged with government leaders and heads of state around the world and made history as the first woman to serve on the board of directors for David Yonggi Cho, founder of Yoido Full Gospel Church.

In addition to her decades of evangelistic work, Marilyn Hickey Ministries was also involved in a widely noted effort to restore funds following a major investment fraud in 2004, which CP reported at the time. 

The ministry joined Christ for All Nations and Benny Hinn Ministries in returning more than $1.4 million they had unknowingly received from a Ponzi-style scheme tied to International Product Investment Corporation. The funds were directed into a victim compensation program as ministry leaders, including Hickey, urged others to come forward and “do the right thing.”

Her daily television program aired globally in nearly 200 countries, reaching a potential audience of more than 2 billion households. In addition to broadcasting, Hickey authored more than 175 books and publications.

She was married to her husband, Wallace, for more than 50 years, and together they raised two children and had five grandchildren. Hickey earned a Bachelor of Arts in collective foreign languages from the University of Northern Colorado and received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Oral Roberts University.

Following news of her death, tributes poured in from Christian leaders, including televangelist Benny Hinn, who described Hickey as a close friend and influential voice in the global church.

“The Body of Christ around the world pauses today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Marilyn Hickey … my dear friend and an anointed leader of unwavering faith, remarkable vision, and global influence whose ministry helped shape generations,” Hinn said.

He added, “Her precious, distinctive voice now is heard rejoicing in heaven, but its anointed echo will resound for generations here on earth! Hallelujah!”

Her ministry said that while her death is a loss, her legacy will endure. “Though we mourn this loss, we find peace in knowing she is now in the presence of the Lord and her ministry will continue for generations to come,” the statement read, citing Matthew 25:23: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

News Source : https://www.christianpost.com/news/marilyn-hickey-pioneering-tv-preacher-dies-at-94.html