People often ask about the "woman behind the man" when it comes to global ministries. In the world of evangelical circles, few names carry as much weight as Dr. David Jeremiah. But if you look closely at the history of Turning Point Ministries, you'll find Donna Jeremiah—his wife of over sixty years—standing right there in the thick of it. So, let’s get straight to the point: how old is Donna Jeremiah? While her exact birth date isn't a piece of public data she broadcasts on a flashy Instagram profile, we can do some very reliable math. Donna Jeremiah (formerly Donna Thompson) married David in 1963. They were college sweethearts at Cedarville College. Since David Jeremiah was born in 1941 and graduated in 1963 at the age of 22, and they were classmates, it is highly probable that Donna was born around 1941 or 1942.
As of 2026, that puts Donna Jeremiah in her early 80s.
Honestly, she doesn't seem to be slowing down much. You've likely seen her name on the masthead of Turning Point or heard David credit her for basically every major milestone they’ve reached. She isn't just a "pastor's wife" in the traditional, 1950s sense. She is a corporate officer, an author, and the literal glue of a massive media empire.
The Cedarville Connection and 1963
To understand the woman, you have to look at the beginning. It was 1963. Kennedy was in the White House. The world was changing fast. But in Cedarville, Ohio, two students were planning a life together. Donna was a business major. That detail is actually huge. Most people assume the wife of a famous preacher probably studied music or Christian education. Nope. Donna had a head for numbers and organization.
That business background became the secret weapon for their future ministry. When they started Blackhawk Baptist Church in Fort Wayne back in 1969, they weren't just "praying and hoping." They were building. David handled the theology; Donna handled the logistics.
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A Partnership of Six Decades
It is rare to see a marriage last sixty-plus years, especially in the public eye. They moved from Ohio to Texas for David’s seminary years, then to Indiana, and finally to California in 1981. If you're doing the math, they've been in San Diego for over 40 years now.
Think about the sheer volume of change she’s navigated:
- Transitioning from a local church to a global television ministry.
- Raising four children (Janice, David Michael, Jennifer, and Daniel) while the ministry exploded.
- Supporting David through two bouts with lymphoma in the 1990s.
- Seeing her children grow up—including Daniel Jeremiah, who is a massive name in the NFL world as an analyst.
She’s basically the Chief Operating Officer of the Jeremiah household and, for a long time, the ministry itself.
Donna Jeremiah’s Own Creative Path
A lot of folks don't realize that Donna is actually a published author in her own right. She didn't just write devotionals or "how-to" books for wives. She actually dipped her toes into fiction.
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She wrote a series called Partners in Crime Solving (the PICS series). Titles like Storm Over Coronado and Intrigue in Coronado show a side of her that is creative and interested in narrative. It's kinda cool to think about a woman in her 70s and 80s keeping that creative spark alive while managing the Corporate Secretary duties for a non-profit that reaches millions.
The Family Legacy in 2026
Age is just a number, but in the Jeremiah family, it represents a massive legacy. Donna is a grandmother to twelve and a great-grandmother too. Her oldest son, David Michael, now serves as the president of Turning Point. Her other son, Daniel, is the one you see on the NFL Network talking about the draft.
There’s a reason people search for her age. They see the longevity. In an era where everything is "disposable," seeing a couple in their 80s who are still married, still working, and still seemingly very much in love is... well, it's rare.
Why Her Age is a Sign of Resilience
Most people retire at 65. Donna and David blew past that marker nearly twenty years ago. When you look at her, you aren't just looking at a number; you're looking at a history of American evangelicalism.
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She was there before the internet. She was there when they were literally mailing out cassette tapes of sermons. She survived the "scandal" eras of the 80s that took down other ministries, largely because she and David kept their heads down and stayed focused on their local church, Shadow Mountain.
What We Can Learn From Donna's Journey
If you’re looking for actionable takeaways from her life story, it isn't about how to stay young. It’s about how to stay useful.
- Skills matter: Her business degree wasn't an accident. It was the foundation for her role as Corporate Secretary of a multi-million dollar organization.
- Priorities work: David has often said that his order is God, Donna, children, and then the church. That boundary is likely why they are still standing in 2026.
- Adapt or die: She went from a small town in Ohio to managing a media titan. She learned the tech, the trends, and the times.
While she might be in her 80s, Donna Jeremiah remains a powerhouse in the background. She proves that you don't need the spotlight to be the most important person in the room.
To get a true sense of her impact, you can look at the governance records of Turning Point Ministries. You will find her listed not just as a spouse, but as a key decision-maker. If you want to dive deeper into the history of the ministry she helped build, checking out the official biography of David Jeremiah often reveals the most personal anecdotes about her influence.
Keep an eye on the Turning Point broadcasts; she is often in the front row, a quiet but constant presence that has defined the ministry for over half a century.