When Was Dodie Osteen Diagnosed With Cancer? Joel Osteen’s Mother Defied Metastatic Liver Cancer Before Passing at 91
Dolores Pilgrim Osteen, widely known as Dodie Osteen, co-founder of Houston’s Lakewood Church and mother of renowned televangelist Joel Osteen, passed away peacefully at her home at the age of 91. Her life was marked not only by her spiritual leadership and devotion to her family but by a remarkable battle with metastatic liver cancer—a story that continues to inspire millions.
A Legacy of Faith and Service
Dodie Osteen, alongside her husband John Osteen, helped establish Lakewood Church, which grew to become one of the largest and most influential megachurches in the United States. As the beloved matriarch of the Osteen family and affectionately known as “Mama Dodie” to the Lakewood congregation, she was celebrated as a faithful servant of God and an inspiration to people around the world.
On July 30, 2025, Joel Osteen and his wife Victoria announced her passing with a heartfelt statement:
“It is with a heavy heart that Victoria and I, along with our family, announce the passing of our cherished mother and grandmother, Dolores ‘Dodie’ Osteen. Known as ‘Mama Dodie’ to the entire Lakewood family, together, we celebrate her amazing life and lasting legacy. She passed of natural causes, peacefully at her home. She was 91 years old.”
The Cancer Diagnosis: A Turning Point
Dodie Osteen’s story is especially powerful because of her miraculous recovery from a devastating diagnosis. In December 1981, after her son Paul—a medical student at the time—noticed she appeared jaundiced and encouraged her to see a doctor, Dodie was admitted to the hospital for 20 days. The diagnosis was grim: metastatic liver cancer. According to the Washington Times, doctors gave her only weeks to live.
Reflecting on that time during a 2019 interview with Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), Dodie recalled:
“He said, ‘Mother, you look a little bit older than I expected you to look, and you’re a little jaundiced. I think you need to go [and] be checked out.’”
After extensive tests, the diagnosis was confirmed. Dodie’s son, Dr. Paul Osteen, later emphasized:
“I was there, and I saw the results of the scans and I saw the results of the biopsy. I know it wasn’t a misdiagnosis. Mama just didn’t get over something. She had a diagnosis from a reputable institution of cancer that had metastasized to her liver. So I mean, people just don’t survive that.”
He added, “She had multiple lesions that are different… It’s just a remarkable miracle. It’s one of those things you can’t explain other than just to say, ‘God healed her.’”
A Miraculous Healing
Dodie Osteen’s faith never wavered in the face of her diagnosis. She credited her recovery to divine intervention, claiming that she was miraculously healed by Jesus on December 11, 1981. In her own words, as recounted in her TBN interview:
“I just got up from that floor, that was December 10th, and my Bible was on the foot of the bed, and I said, ‘Jesus, would you mind if I stood on the word of God?’ And I put it on the floor and I thought would Jesus be pleased if I stood on his word? And then I thought, ‘I don’t think he’ll care, I think he’ll be proud of me.’
I put those little feet on there and I said Jesus, I’m standing on your word. So I went around the house saying December 11th, I believe that Jesus healed me December 11. Everybody would say how are you Miss Dodie? I never said I feel bad. I don’t feel good. I just said I’m blessed.”
Her husband, John Osteen, also prayed fervently for her recovery, as she remembered:
“He said, ‘Father, I need her, Jesus, you need her, the children need her, and the church needs her.’”
Sharing Her Story
Dodie Osteen’s miraculous healing became a cornerstone of her ministry. In 1986, she authored the book *Healed of Cancer*, sharing her testimony and offering hope to countless others facing similar battles. Her story was frequently cited by her family and church as a testament to the power of faith and prayer.
Four Decades of Impact
Following her recovery, Dodie Osteen lived more than forty additional years, continuing her work at Lakewood Church and remaining a pillar of faith for her family and congregation. She was married to John Osteen for 44 years until his passing, and together they raised five children.
Her life, marked by resilience, faith, and service, leaves a lasting legacy. As Joel Osteen expressed in his tribute, Dodie Osteen was not only a cherished mother and grandmother but a beacon of hope and inspiration for millions.
Dodie Osteen’s journey from a dire diagnosis to decades of vibrant life serves as a powerful reminder of faith’s enduring strength and the impact of unwavering hope.
