KEY POINTS

  • Rick Warren is the author of "The Purpose Driven Life"
  • He has a net worth of $25 million
  • Warren does not own a private jet, for he lives a simple life

Rick Warren’s net worth is $25 million. The pastor is one of the richest preachers in the world, but he is not like what some would imagine.

Warren gained global fame for writing the book “The Purpose Driven Life.” The book went on to become the second most translated book in the world, behind The Holy Bible, per Celebrity Net Worth.

The American pastor supports the California Proposition 8, which became controversial to the critics of his church. The amendment defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, which triggered strong reactions from members of the LGBTQ community. The 66-year-old author is not new in making controversial opinions, he once claimed that he never believed in evolution and he described himself as an amateur pastor, not a professional one. Despite the controversies, it is undeniable that Warren has made a name for himself and has amassed a lot of wealth.

Rick Warren
Rick Warren, author of "The Purpose Driven Life," whose son was found dead of an apparent suicide on Saturday. Reuters

The San Jose, California native has prepared well for his retirement in the future after following a strict saving method. According to Forbes, Pastor Warren follows the 10/10/80 principle: 10 percent goes to God, 10 percent goes to savings and the rest goes on to daily expenses. Warren added that this method enabled him to save and become financially secure even before he wrote the “The Purpose Driven Life.”

Unlike what might some think of the wealthy preachers, Warren actually leads an average life. He claims he does not own a yacht or a jet and is not taking a salary from the church. When compared to other evangelists and pastors such as Lakewood Church’s Joel Osteen and Kenneth Copeland from Kenneth Copeland Ministries, Warren’s lifestyle can be considered average. Osteen has a net worth of $100 million while Copeland’s fortune is estimated at $300 million. The latter owns a private jet, complete with a private airstrip and hangar.

With his $25 million net worth, Warren is ranked on the 31st spot on the wealthiest pastors list, according to Standard News in 2019. He is married to Kay Warren and the two have three children together. However, the youngest died in an apparent suicide in 2013.

Warren founded the Saddleback Church, which adopts the P.E.A.C.E plan that aims to help retirees live their best lives. The program focuses on helping the next generation, caring for the sick and assisting the poor, among others. He is also close to some of the influential figures in politics. Saddleback Church hosted Barack Obama and John McCain in 2008. He also spoke in the inauguration of the former president.