Update (April 2013): The Orlando Sentinel reports that televangelist Benny Hinn and his ex-wife Suzanne Hinn have re-married.
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On February 1st Suzanne Hinn, wife of famous televangelist Benny Hinn, filed divorce papers in a southern California court. The documents cite irreconcilable differences as grounds for the legal action. News of the divorce has rocked Hinn`s worldwide following and has already been used as fodder for critics of the controversial healer`s ministry.
Don Price, senior advisor to Mr. Hinn, stated in a Press release that “Pastor Benny Hinn and his immediate family were shocked and saddened to learn of this news. The couple has been married for more than 30 years, and although Pastor Hinn has faithfully endeavored to bring healing to their relationship, those efforts failed and were met with the petition for divorce that was filed without notice.”
Confidential sources have informed Christianity Today that the Hinn marriage has been in trouble for a long time and that the divorce proceedings were no shock to Benny Hinn. CT tried unsuccessfully to reach Benny Hinn and Mr. Price for comment.
Suzanne Hinn is being represented by Sorrell Trope, a legendary figure in divorce litigation. His previous clients include Cary Grant, Rod Steiger, Nicole Kidman and Elin Nordegren, wife of Tiger Woods. Mrs. Hinn was unavailable for comment. The couple was married in 1979 and have four children.
Lee Grady, contributing editor of Charisma magazine, told CT that the impact of divorce on Benny Hinn’s ministry will depend on the nature of their marriage problems. Grady also said that the charismatic world “has been shaken to its core in recent years by a number of high-profile leaders who haved divorced or had moral failures. Many charismatics I know are troubled by this, and they feel it is time for deep introspection, repentance and a rejection of the shallow, celebrity Christianity that has typified much of our movement.”
Reporting by James A. Beverley
