Charismatic preacher Benny Hinn, a televangelist associated with the prosperity gospel, has been served divorce papers from wife Suzanne for a second time. The couple, who were originally married from 1979 to 2010 and had four children, remarried in 2013. But Benny and Suzanne have been living in separate houses in Florida, where she filed for divorce on July 26.
According to Trinity Foundation, the couple have four properties in Florida worth more than $5 million. Although some reports indicate that Benny Hinn Ministries (officially known as World Healing Center Church) is worth up to $100 million, it has faced financial difficulties and declining viewership.
In his autobiography, Hinn, now 71, wrote about meeting Suzanne in 1978, when she was attending Evangel College. Thanks to a partnership with Stephen Strang, Hinn became a high-profile charismatic TV preacher. His bestselling books include “Good Morning, Holy Spirit.” For several years, Suzanne Hinn had her own California-based ministry called Purifying Fire.
RELATED: Mike Winger Says Benny Hinn Is Not a Christian During Interview With Charisma
Benny Hinn and Wife Are Splitting Again
When the Hinns reconciled following their first divorce, Benny revealed that Suzanne had been addicted to prescription medications that made her “behave erratically at times.” He also admitted he had been “so caught up with the ministry, I forgot about my family.”
The couple’s second marriage was officiated by Pastor Jack Hayford in 2013. More than 1,000 people attended the event, which took place at Orlando’s Holy Land Experience. Hinn later sold DVDs of the ceremony for $25 each.
In 2019, Hinn distanced himself from prosperity teachings, saying he didn’t want to be rebuked when he gets to heaven. But earlier this month, the preacher told followers that giving “seed” money to his ministry would protect them financially in today’s volatile world.
Hinn has said he spent $5 million fighting a 2007 congressional inquiry into televangelists. As a result of the investigation, Hinn announced some governance changes at his ministry.
Costi Hinn, a nephew of Benny’s, is a pastor who’s been vocally opposed to prosperity teachings.
After First Divorce, Benny Hinn Faced Scandal
Soon after Suzanne Hinn filed for divorce the first time, Benny was photographed holding hands with televangelist Paula White as they exited a Rome hotel. Benny denied having an affair, saying he was “just friends” with White. He also said their friendship had nothing to do with the dissolution of his marriage.
After the photos of Hinn and White were published, Strang’s Charisma Media sued Hinn for violating the morality clause of a book deal. Hinn, however, said there was “no immorality whatsoever.”
