A former adviser to President Donald Trump, influential psychologist, and prominent evangelical leader who spent decades advocating for traditional family values has died at the age of 89.Dr. James Dobson, born in 1936 in Shreveport, Louisiana, became one of the most recognizable figures in American evangelical Christianity. Through his daily radio programs and bestselling books, he reached millions of families with a message emphasizing the importance of faith, marriage, and child-rearing in American life, according to The New York Times. Gary Bauer, senior vice president of public policy at the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute, praised Dobsonâs influence, calling him âa pioneer and a man of deep conviction whose voice shaped how generations view faith, family, and culture.â Bauer added that Dobsonâs leadership and compassion helped many families navigate a changing cultural landscape.
Dobson began his career as a clinical psychologist but rose to national prominence in the 1970s after founding Focus on the Family in California. The ministry quickly expanded and became a central platform for evangelical engagement on family issues and cultural debates. By the 1980s and 1990s, Dobsonâs daily radio broadcasts were carried on more than 4,000 stations throughout North America. The program was translated into 27 languages and distributed in over 160 countries, making it one of the most widely heard Christian radio shows in the world. After leaving Focus on the Family in 2010, Dobson established the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute to continue promoting Christian family values through radio programs, digital outreach, and policy advocacy.
Throughout his life, Dobson also maintained close ties to political leaders. He advised several U.S. presidents, including George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump, and served on Trumpâs Evangelical Executive Advisory Board. Dobson is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley, along with two children and two grandchildren. His institute described his death as the end of âa remarkable chapter in American Christian life,â noting that his influence will continue to shape families, churches, and communities for years to come.
