Dr. James Dobson, founder of the Focus on the Family Christian ministry and former advisor to five U.S. presidents, has died at 89.
The Dr. James Dobson Family Institute (JDFI) announced that Dobson, a psychologist widely regarded as one of the most influential Christian leaders of the past fifty years, passed away Thursday morning.
He rose to prominence in the 1980s, championing conservative Christian ideals in American politics alongside figures like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson.
“Dr. Dobson was a pioneer — a man of deep conviction whose voice shaped the way generations view faith, family, and culture,” said Gary Bauer, senior vice president of public policy at the JDFI. “His bold leadership, integrity, and compassion helped equip countless families to thrive in a world of shifting values. He was a mentor, a counselor, and a steady voice of truth in turbulent times.”
Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1936, Dobson dedicated his life to strengthening marriages, guiding parents, and defending biblical values, emphasizing the central role of family in society. He founded Focus on the Family in Arcadia, California, in 1977, and grew it into one of the largest evangelical ministries in the world. The organization moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1991, where it remains headquartered today.
At the height of Dobson’s leadership, the Focus on the Family daily radio program aired on more than 4,000 stations across North America. Broadcasts were translated into 27 languages and distributed in over 160 countries, making it one of the most widely heard faith-based radio programs worldwide, according to the JDFI.
After leaving Focus in 2010, Dobson established JDFI, a smaller but more personal institute focused on continuing his mission with an emphasis on his own broadcasts and teachings.
A New York Times best-selling author and Radio Hall of Fame broadcaster, Dobson authored more than 70 books dedicated to family preservation, including The New Dare to Discipline and When God Doesn’t Make Sense, which remain staples in Christian homes today.
His influence extended beyond media and publishing, as he advised U.S. presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump. Dobson served on President Trump’s Evangelical Executive Advisory Board, a group of faith leaders formed in 2016 to advise on issues important to evangelicals.
Dobson played a key role in national conversations about pornography, gambling, teen pregnancy prevention, and the sanctity of human life. He campaigned against abortion and was a prominent anti-pornography activist. He also spoke out against efforts to legitimize same-sex relationships, warning they could weaken the traditional family structure.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley; their children Danae and Ryan; daughter-in-law Laura; and two grandchildren.
