Dr. James Dobson, the influential psychologist, author, and founder of Focus on the Family, has died at the age of 89, according to the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute.
Born in 1936 in Shreveport, Dobson became one of the most prominent voices in American evangelical Christianity over several decades. A trained child psychologist, he gained national recognition through his books, radio broadcasts, and advocacy for traditional family values, parenting, and Christian faith. His work reached millions of listeners and readers in the United States and around the world.
Dobson founded Focus on the Family in 1977, building it into one of the nation’s largest evangelical ministries. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, the organization focused on marriage, parenting, religious liberty, and opposition to abortion, while also taking conservative positions on a range of social issues. After stepping down from the organization in 2010, he launched the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute and continued hosting the nationally syndicated Family Talk radio program.
Throughout his career, Dobson authored more than 70 books, including Dare to Discipline, which became a widely read parenting guide. He also played a significant role in American politics, advising multiple U.S. presidents and serving on President Donald Trump’s Evangelical Executive Advisory Board. His advocacy helped shape debates on family policy and the role of religion in public life.
Admired by supporters for his influence on evangelical families and criticized by opponents for many of his social and political positions, Dobson remained one of the most recognizable figures in the modern conservative Christian movement. He is survived by his wife, Shirley, their two children, and grandchildren.
