| Heber Carl Jentzsch | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 11, 1935 United States |
| Occupation | President, Church of Scientology International |
| Salary | USD$Unknown |
| Net worth | USD$Unknown |
| Spouse | Yvonne Gillham Karen de la Carriere |
| Children | 1 |
| Website | |
| Scientology Bio | |
Heber Carl Jentzsch (born 1935) has served as president of the Church of Scientology International since 1982.
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Heber Jentzsch grew up in a Mormon family, and identified himself as a "believing Mormon".[1] He is the son of polygamist Carl Jentzsch (who was excommunicated from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)[2] and Carl's third wife Pauline; Heber has 42 siblings.[3] While Heber Jentzsch was never baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, his first name was inspired by the Latter-day Saint apostle Heber C. Kimball.[2]
Jentzsch was educated at Weber College in Ogden, Utah and the University of Utah, where he graduated in 1959 with a degree in communications.[2] He also studied Eastern religions.[4]
Before his involvement with Scientology, which he joined in 1967, Jentzsch was a journalist with the Los Angeles Free Press and an actor, having a bit part in the movie Paint Your Wagon.[5][6] The Internet Movie Database lists Jentzsch with one credited acting appearance, a small part playing a Nazi in one episode of the 1960s television series Combat!, and with an uncredited role in the movie 1776.
According to Jentzsch, two events of his life were pivotal: the arrest of his father in 1955, and himself being cured in the Scientology Purification Rundown from radiation burns he had suffered from since he was 15.[2]
During the 1970s, Jentzsch became the public relations director of the Church's later-notorious Guardian's Office, serving as the Church's chief press spokesman.[7] He has continued in this role since his promotion to the post of President of the Church of Scientology International; in January 1986 it fell to him to inform the press of the death of L. Ron Hubbard.[8] He has often appeared in newspaper interviews, aggressively defending the church on several occasions.[9][10][11]
Despite his media prominence, Jentzsch has often been referred to as a titular president.[12] Described as "the leading spokesperson for the Church of Scientology International" in Church publications,[13] Jentzsch is thought to have little actual power. Jentzch's rank in the Scientology's elite Sea Organization is only that of Lieutenant, whereas RTC chairman David Miscavige holds the rank of Captain. Miscavige is widely regarded as the leader of Scientology, and is officially referred to as the "ultimate ecclesiastical authority" on Scientology.[14][15]
In 1988 Heber Jentzsch was arrested in Spain along with 69 other members of the organization.[16][17] Jentzsch was incarcerated in a Spanish jail for about three weeks.[18] He was released and fled to the United States after Scientology paid a bail bond of approximately $1 million. Sixteen people, including Jentzsch, were charged with "illegal association" and various other crimes including tax fraud and endangering public health. The trial of the indictees began in February 2001, but Jentzsch himself did not turn up; the prosecution called for him to be given a 56-year prison sentence.[19] However, the Madrid Provincial Court threw out all but the conspiracy charge and eventually ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prove this charge as well.[20] In April 2002, the charge was formally dropped. The court also ordered that the bail bond deposited for his release in 1988 be returned to the Church along with interest, which nearly doubled the original amount.[21]