Pat Robertson's family feared the televangelist would 'die from a broken heart' after wife Dede died: 'She was the rock of his life'
VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA: Concerns were growing among Pat Robertson's friends and family about how the abrupt death of his beloved wife, Adelia "Dede" Robertson, might impact the elderly televangelist before his death on Thursday at the age of 93. Dede was Pat's constant companion throughout their life until she died in April 2022 at the age of 94.
The conservative preacher and media mogul's final days, according to those who spoke to the site, were marred by tremendous sadness due to the death of his longtime spouse who was an influential leader with the Christian Broadcasting Network, as reported by RadarOnline. The couple got married in 1954 and weathered many challenges hand in hand.
When he ran for president in 1988 she visited 52 cities on his behalf
Dede, a brainy beauty queen with degrees from Ohio State and Yale University, played an active role in Pat's endeavors, even campaigning for him during his presidential run in 1988, traversing 52 cities on his behalf.
According to a source close to the family, as the months passed leading up to his death, "Dede's death, while not wholly unexpected, is an incredible unthinkable blow." The fear loomed that Pat would falter, or worse, succumb to a "broken heart". "She was so much to him — his business partner, his wife, the rock of his life," the source added.
'Dede Robertson was a woman of great faith, a champion'
Together, they purchased and transformed a Virginia TV station into a thriving empire, the media outlet noted. After Dede passed away, Pat issued a statement in her memory that said, "Dede Robertson was a woman of great faith, a champion of the Gospel, and a remarkable servant of Christ who has left an indelible print on all that she set her hand to during her extraordinary life," as reported by the publication.
Even before Dede's death, concerns had arisen within Pat's circle due to his retirement from hosting the long-running daily television show, The 700 Club, after a remarkable 55-year run. "Losing Dede after retiring from the show is like a one-two punch," the source said at the time. "We hope Pat pulls through."
'If it weren’t for Mom, there wouldn’t be a CBN'
Timothy Robertson, Elizabeth Robinson, Gordon Robertson, and Ann LeBlanc are the four children she raised with Robertson. She also had 14 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren as per Deadline. “My mom was a rock,” Ann LeBlanc told at the time when Dede died. "She was a rock throughout our childhood." Gordon Robertson said, “Mom was the glue that held the Robertson family together. She was always working behind the scenes. If it weren’t for Mom, there wouldn’t be a CBN,”