Pat Robertson, conservative Christian evangelist, dead at 93

FILE PHOTO: Evangelical Christian leader Pat Robertson takes his seat onstage ahead of a campaign rally with Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney in Virginia Beach, Virginia September 8, 2012. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

(Reuters) -American Christian conservative Pat Robertson died at age 93 at his Virginia home, the Christian Broadcasting Network said in a statement on Thursday.

Robertson founded the network in 1960 and used the flagship program "The 700 Club" for prayer offerings and political commentary. In 1980, the show helped to galvanize support among Christian conservatives for Ronald Reagan's successful campaign for president.