Oral Roberts, a world-renowned televangelist who made the “prosperity gospel” idea famous, died on Tuesday at the age of 91.

He died of pneumonia at a hospital in Newport Beach, California.

Mr. Roberts was the founder of the Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which is now home to 5,400 students.

His popularity soared when he used television and email campaigns as media to raise money and spread the word of God. He took Pentecostalism to the mainstream to reach more people from all walks of life.

He had a primetime show in the 70s which had about 40 million viewers. He also appeared on talk shows.

In “Expect a Miracle: My Life and Ministry,” his 1996 autobiography, he wrote, “It gives people hope and expectation that seeds sown to God will be multiplied back in every area of life.”

In 1992, he semi-retired due to a heart attack, but he continued to serve as chancellor of his school. His final years were spent in Newport Beach with wife Evelyn, who already passed away in 2005.

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