Evangelist Marjoe Gortner’s Cause of Death Revealed at 82, 5 Wives, Net Worth & Child Preacher

Marjoe Gortner, the famous child preacher who became an Oscar-winning documentary star and Hollywood actor, has died at the age of 82. Born in Long Beach, California, in 1944, Marjoe Gortner became famous as a child after his parents had him ordained as a preacher at just four years old. He traveled across America preaching to large crowds and became one of the most unusual child evangelists of his era. Years later, Marjoe revealed the painful truth behind his childhood. His experiences were documented in the 1972 film Marjoe, which followed his final revival tour and exposed the behind-the-scenes world of revival preaching. The documentary went on to win the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. After leaving the world of evangelism, Gortner reinvented himself as an actor and musician. He appeared in movies including Earthquake, Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw, The Food of the Gods, Viva Knievel! and Starcrash. He also appeared on television shows including Airwolf and Falcon Crest. Marjoe Gortner died in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on October 2, 2026, at the age of 82. His wife, Susan Magestro, confirmed that he died from congestive heart failure. In this video, we look back at Marjoe Gortner's extraordinary life, his childhood as a famous preacher, the shocking revelations behind the documentary Marjoe, his Hollywood career, his marriages, his later charitable work, and his final years. His story was filled with fame, controversy, heartbreak, reinvention, and redemption — and it remains one of the most unusual celebrity stories of his generation. Rest in peace, Marjoe Gortner. #MarjoeGortner #MarjoeGortnerDeath #lifestyle #networth #knowyourcelebrities