Dr. James Dobson, a former adviser to President Donald Trump, prominent psychologist, and influential evangelical leader, died Thursday morning at the age of 89. For decades, he played a significant role in shaping American culture and politics through his advocacy of traditional family values.
Born in 1936 in Shreveport, Louisiana, Dobson became a leading voice in evangelical Christianity. He gained widespread recognition through his daily radio broadcasts and bestselling books, reaching millions of families with messages emphasizing faith, marriage, and parenting.
Dobson rose to prominence in the mid-1970s after founding Focus on the Family in California. The organization quickly expanded, becoming a major force in addressing cultural and social issues from an evangelical perspective. By the 1980s and 1990s, his radio program aired on thousands of stations across North America and was distributed internationally.
In 1991, the ministry moved its headquarters to Colorado Springs, Colorado. Under his leadership, it championed positions on marriage, parenting, religious liberty, and pro-life advocacy, solidifying its influence within the broader evangelical movement.
Beyond broadcasting, Dobson authored more than 70 books focused on family life and spirituality. After stepping down from Focus on the Family in 2010, he established the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute, continuing his work through media outreach and public policy engagement.
Dobson also advised several U.S. presidents, helping connect evangelical communities with national leadership. He is survived by his wife, Shirley, their children, and grandchildren.
