Who Is David Koresh? Age, Biography and Wiki
David Koresh was born on August 17, 1959, in Houston, Texas. He became the leader of the Branch Davidian religious sect, known for its apocalyptic beliefs. Koresh, originally known as Vernon Wayne Howell, was a prominent figure in the 1993 Waco siege, which brought national attention to his controversial practices and beliefs. Tragically, his life was cut short on April 19, 1993, when a standoff between his followers and federal authorities resulted in a catastrophic fire. If he were still alive in 2025, Koresh would be 66 years old.
| Occupation | Religious Leader |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 17, 1959 |
| Age | 33 Years |
| Birth Place | Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Leo |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 19 April, 1993 |
| Died Place | Mount Carmel Center McLennan County, Texas, U.S. |
Popularity
David Koresh's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While exact figures might vary, David Koresh was reported to stand approximately 6 feet tall and weigh around 190 pounds during his active years. He had piercing blue eyes and often had a rugged, unkempt appearance that reflected his lifestyle during the contentious years leading up to the Waco incident.
Coroner reports showed many Davidians died from single gunshot wounds to the head – Koresh, then 33, was one of them. A postmortem on his badly burned remains could not determine whether he died by suicide or was killed.
One FBI official speculated that Steve Schneider, Koresh's right-hand man, "probably realized that he was dealing with a fraud" and so shot and killed Koresh before turning the gun on himself. The medical examiner reported 20 people, including five children under the age of 14, had been shot, and a three-year-old had been stabbed in the chest.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
David Koresh had a complicated personal life. He was known to have multiple relationships with women within the Branch Davidian community and fathered several children. His most publicized relationship was with a woman named Michele Jones, with whom he had a daughter, and he considered himself the "spiritual husband" of several other women in the group. His familial structure remains a topic of interest, particularly concerning the children who survived the Waco siege, including those who were born during his leadership.
Two years after the birth, the relationship broke down. Bonnie continued to flounder, with an abusive, first marriage to a Joe Golden quickly ending in divorce. After this, around 1962, unable to cope with her situation, Bonnie moved away to Dallas.
She placed her son in the care of her mother and an older sister: Bonnie's mother would pretend to be Koresh's mother; Bonnie would pose as an aunt when she occasionally visited him.
Net Worth and Salary
Estimates of David Koresh's net worth at the time of the Waco siege suggest it was relatively modest when compared to prominent figures of his era. His lifestyle was austere, supported primarily by the donations from his followers, who believed in his teachings. Speculation about his wealth typically revolves around the assets the Branch Davidian community might have had, but after the events in 1993, his estate would have faced significant legal and financial challenges.
Career, Business and Investments
Koresh was primarily known for his role as a religious leader rather than a traditional businessperson. His career revolved around his leadership of the Branch Davidians, which included teaching biblical interpretations, leading religious services, and organizing an armed compound in Waco, Texas. He also engaged in various activities such as music, giving sermons, and claiming prophetic insights, which attracted a following and kept them devoted to his vision.
Koresh described his early childhood as lonely. Due to his poor study skills and dyslexia partially caused by poor eyesight, he was put in special education classes and bullied by his schoolmates. Matters improved after about the age of 12, when Koresh became interested in sport, which he was good at, and developed his physique.
Despite this turnaround, Koresh dropped out of Garland High School in his junior year. He tried various jobs, but was either fired from or abandoned each of them.
Social Network
During his lifetime, Koresh had a significant social network among his followers and often leveraged this to maintain his influence. His interaction with the outside world was largely restricted, and he portrayed himself as a messianic figure to those who lived with him. In a fictional scenario where Koresh were present in 2025, he would likely have an active presence on social media platforms, engaging with followers and promoting his teachings, albeit in a more controversial light due to the historical context of his leadership.
Education
Koresh's formal education was limited, as he dropped out of high school. However, he was known for his extensive self-education in the Bible and religious texts, which he frequently referenced in his sermons. His understanding of scripture and ability to articulate his beliefs was a key component that attracted many followers, demonstrating that formal education is not always synonymous with influence or capability in specific fields.
The allegations of child abuse largely stem from detractors and ex-members. The 1993 Justice Department report cites allegations of child sexual and physical abuse.
Legal scholars point out that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) had no legal jurisdiction in the matter of child protection, and these accounts appear to have been inserted by the ATF to inflame the case against Koresh. For example, the account of former Branch Davidian Jeannine Bunds is reproduced in an ATF affidavit.
She said that Koresh had fathered at least 15 children with various women and girls, and that she had personally delivered seven of these infants. Bunds also says that Koresh would annul all marriages of couples who joined the group and had exclusive sexual access to the women and girls.
Thibodeau, a student of Koresh and one of the few to escape the fire that destroyed the compound, stated in 2018 that while he considered Koresh a friend, he "certainly was guilty of something. He was either a polygamist or he was guilty of statutory rape. Probably both."
