Pat Robertson Fast Facts - CNN.com (CNN) -- Here's a look at the life of televangelist Pat Robertson. Personal: Birth date: March 22, 1930 Birth place: Lexington, Virginia Birth name: Marion Gordon Robertson Father: Absalom Willis Robertson, politician Mother: Gladys Churchill (Willis) Robertson Marriage: Adelia "Dede" (Elmer) Robertson (August 27, 1954 - present) Children: Timothy, Elizabeth, Gordon, Ann Education: Washington and Lee University, B.A., 1950; Yale University, J.D., 1955; New York Theological Seminary, M.Div., 1959 Military service: U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 1948 - 1952, First Lieutenant Religion: Christian Other Facts: Robertson's political platform included fiscal and moral conservatism. Has a recipe for "age-defying" pancakes. Timeline: January 11, 1960 - Founds the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). 1961 - Is ordained as a Southern Baptist minister. October 1, 1961 - CBN goes on the air for the first time. 1966 - Creates "The 700 Club" television program. 1977 - Founds CBN University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It is later renamed Regent University. 1987 - Resigns from the Southern Baptist Convention ministry to run for president. May 16, 1988 - Drops out of the presidential race. May 1992 - Makes a $6 million bid on news wire service United Press International. In June, Robertson retracts the accepted bid, citing economic issues. September 13, 2001 - Releases a statement saying that America has been attacked "because God Almighty is lifting His protection from us." January 5, 2006 - Says that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's stroke is punishment for "dividing God's land." November 30, 2007 - Turns over the management of CBN to his son, Gordon. 2008 - Appears in an advertisement, with Al Sharpton, for Al Gore's non-profit the Alliance for Climate Protection. August 19, 2009 - Has successful heart surgery after suffering from atrial fibrillation. November 2009 - Following the shootings at Fort Hood, Robertson comments on air that Islam is not a religion but a "violent political system." September 13, 2011 - On "The 700 Club," Robertson tells viewers that divorcing a spouse with Alzheimer's is acceptable as it is a "kind of death." March 7, 2012 - During an interview with The New York Times, Robertson says marijuana should be legalized and receive the same treatment under the law as alcohol.