Televangelist Jim Bakker, who built a Christian television empire with his former wife Tammy Faye Bakker, has died. He was 86. His wife, Lori Bakker, announced that Jim died Monday evening, saying he devoted 66 years to preaching the Gospel and remained committed to his ministry until the end. She described him as her husband and best friend and asked for prayers and privacy as the family grieves. His cause of death has not been released.
The Jim Bakker dead news closes a life defined by both remarkable reach and dramatic downfall. Bakker rose to prominence in the 1970s as co-host of The PTL Club, which he launched with Tammy Faye. The pair also founded Heritage USA, a Christian theme park in South Carolina. Their empire collapsed in the late 1980s amid a sex and money scandal. Bakker was convicted of fraud and conspiracy after misusing ministry funds and selling “lifetime memberships” to a hotel that was never completed. He was sentenced to 45 years in prison but ultimately served about five years.
After his release, Bakker returned to television and later launched The Jim Bakker Show with Lori, where he discussed Christianity, biblical prophecy, and current events. Tammy Faye divorced Jim while he was incarcerated and later married Roe Messner. She died of cancer in 2007. Jim and Tammy Faye shared two children, including their son, Jay Bakker. He was 86.
