Joni Lamb, the longtime Christian broadcaster and co-founder of the Daystar Television Network, died on May 7, 2026, at the age of 65. Her death was confirmed by the network and later publicly acknowledged by her husband, Doug Weiss, who wrote that she was "deeply loved" and that the void left behind was "impossible to put into words." Reports indicated that she had been battling ongoing health problems that were worsened by a serious back injury in recent weeks.
Lamb was one of the most recognizable figures in American Christian television. Born Joni Trammell in Texas in 1960, she married televangelist Marcus Lamb in 1982. Together they founded Daystar in the early 1990s, building it from a small regional ministry into one of the largest Christian television networks in the world. Through satellite, cable, and digital streaming, Daystar reached millions of viewers globally and became known for its mix of preaching, worship programming, talk shows, and prosperity-gospel oriented teaching.
As president and co-host of Daystar's flagship programs, Lamb became a prominent face in evangelical media culture. She also authored books including Surrender All and Heart for the World, and frequently spoke about faith, family, spiritual warfare, and personal restoration. Following Marcus Lamb's death from COVID-19 complications in 2021, she assumed even greater leadership over the network and became its central public figure.
Her personal life, however, increasingly drew public scrutiny. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Marcus Lamb became a vocal critic of vaccines and promoted alternative treatments such as hydroxychloroquine on Daystar broadcasts. After his death, renewed criticism emerged over the network's pandemic messaging and its political associations.
Daystar also faced controversy surrounding reports that the ministry received approximately $3.9 million in Paycheck Protection Program funds during the pandemic. Critics alleged the organization used some of the funds in connection with private aircraft expenses and family travel, accusations that fueled broader questions about financial transparency within televangelist ministries.
In 2023, Joni Lamb married Doug Weiss, a psychologist and sex therapist who had frequently appeared on Daystar programming. The marriage generated tension within parts of the Lamb family and segments of Daystar's audience. Some family members reportedly questioned the circumstances surrounding Weiss's previous marriage and divorce.
The most serious controversies emerged from internal family disputes. In recent years, Lamb's son, Jonathan Lamb, publicly accused network leadership - including his mother - of mishandling allegations involving abuse connected to a family member. Additional accusations involving spiritual manipulation and financial impropriety intensified public attention on the network and created visible fractures within the Lamb family.
Despite these controversies, supporters continued to view Joni Lamb as a pioneering figure in Christian broadcasting. Admirers pointed to her resilience after Marcus Lamb's death, her role in building Daystar into a global media platform, and her visibility as a female leader within evangelical television.
She is survived by her husband Doug Weiss, her three children - Jonathan, Rachel Lamb Brown, and Rebecca Lamb Weiss - along with several grandchildren.
