Murdock was born in
Lake Charles, Louisiana, to J.E. and Willie Murdock, and has four sisters. In 1964, Murdock graduated from
LaGrange High School in Lake Charles. The
Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that he had registered 76 songs with the
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, according to unofficial data kept on those groups' web sites. The PTL later declared bankruptcy and Bakker went to prison for fraud related to his ministry. During a sermon, Murdock bragged about buying two jets with cash, lambasting his congregation for being jealous and telling them to "act happy" for him. In 1999, the
Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Murdock refused interview requests and had previously declined to answer questions about money. In 2003, the
Fort Worth Star-Telegram ran a series about Murdock giving association (donor-raised) money to select family members who were on his association's board. On March 3, 2003, the
Associated Press reported Murdock asked followers for money to help the poor but spent more than 60% of donations on overhead, including his salary, and only a tiny amount (reported to be "legal minimums of 1% to 3%") on helping the needy, or any other 'public interest'. In 2004, the
Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Murdock "has started a church and the law allows him to keep his financial records behind closed doors." In August 2004, the association purchased the International Faith Center in Haltom City, Texas, and changed its name to The Wisdom Center, which it operates as a church. On March 22, 2012, the
Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that Murdock's home, assessed at $1.5 million, was for sale. The 9,943 sq ft 25-room home located on 6.89 acres was first listed for sale on
Realtor.com on November 29, 2011 for $3.2 million and then subsequently on September 4, 2013 for $2.7 million. Murdock has appeared on TBN, CBN, BET, INSP, WORD,
Daystar Television Network and other television networks, and his weekly television program,
Wisdom Keys with Mike Murdock. ==References==