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Joni Lamb, the beloved co-founder of Daystar Television Network, has passed away at age 65 on May 7, 2026. The pioneering Christian broadcaster died from health complications compounded by a recent back injury. Her death leaves the Christian broadcasting world mourning one of its most influential figures.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Age at death: 65 years old, born July 19, 1960
- Built Daystar: Launched network in 1993 with first husband Marcus Lamb, reaching nearly every country
- Health decline: Suffered serious health issues compounded by recent back injury that rapidly worsened
- Legacy: Spent nearly 4 decades building ministry reaching millions worldwide via satellite, cable, and streaming
A Pioneer in Christian Broadcasting for Decades
Joni Lamb transformed Christian television from a small, local venture into a global broadcasting powerhouse. In 1985, she and her first husband Marcus launched their initial TV station called “45 Alive” in Montgomery, Alabama. The couple expanded aggressively, eventually moving to Dallas and establishing KMPX-TV 29 in 1993. By 1998, Daystar Television Network was born, creating what would become one of the world’s largest Christian broadcasting platforms.
For four decades, Joni worked both on-air and behind the scenes, developing programming that reached millions of households. Her partnership with Marcus made them beloved figures in Christian broadcasting, known especially for their work promoting racial reconciliation and spiritual growth worldwide.
Joni Lamb, Daystar TV co-founder, dies at 65 after health decline
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The Sudden Health Crisis That Shocked Everyone
According to Daystar’s statement, Lamb had been privately battling serious health matters for some time before the tragic turn. Just last month, her current husband Doug Weiss announced that Joni had suffered a back injury and would take time away from on-air duties. The network revealed that this injury “compounded these challenges and led to a more serious medical situation than anyone had anticipated.” Despite the best efforts of her medical team and worldwide prayers from supporters, her condition worsened rapidly in the final days.
| Timeline Detail | Information |
| Birth Date | July 19, 1960 (age 65) |
| Daystar Founded | 1993 with Marcus Lamb |
| Back Injury Announced | April 2026 (month before death) |
| Date of Passing | May 7, 2026 |
“Joni’s love for the Lord and for the people we serve shaped this ministry from the beginning. We grieve her loss. We are grateful for the legacy of faith she leaves behind.”
— Daystar Board of Directors, official statement
Continuity and Leadership in Wake of Loss
Joni Lamb had worked with Daystar’s board to ensure an executive leadership team was in place before her passing. The network confirmed that programming will proceed as scheduled, with on-air tributes planned for the coming days. Her three children, Jonathan, Rachel, and Rebecca, along with her surviving husband Doug Weiss, are supported by an established ministry leadership structure that will continue Lamb’s mission of spreading the Gospel globally.
Daystar’s statement emphasized that “Daystar’s mission does not change today.” The network continues operating at full capacity as Joni had prepared successors to maintain the ministry’s worldwide reach and Christian broadcasting impact for millions of viewers who depend on the network daily.
A Complex Legacy in Christian Broadcasting’s Modern Era
Joni Lamb’s impact on Christian television cannot be overstated, yet her later years were marked by significant family and network controversies. Her first husband Marcus Lamb died in November 2021 after contracting COVID-19, following his public criticism of vaccines and advocacy for alternative treatments. In 2023, Joni married Dr. Doug Weiss, creating tensions within her family when her son Jonathan opposed the marriage on theological grounds. Family disputes over network control intensified throughout 2024, with Jonathan eventually fired from Daystar in November that year.
Despite these challenges, tributes flooded in from Christian leaders worldwide. Pastor Travis Johnson wrote, “I’m heartbroken at the news of the passing of my friend, Joni Lamb.” The Christian broadcasting community recognized her decades of unwavering dedication to spreading faith and building a global ministry that continues her legacy.
Sources
- Religion News Service (RNS) – Comprehensive coverage of Joni Lamb’s death and Daystar’s official statement
- AL.com – Timeline of ministry founding in Montgomery, Alabama and growth to global network
- Christian Post – Breaking news on death of Daystar’s co-founder and network leadership response
