Jim Bakker, the well-known Christian televangelist, died on Monday at the age of 86, as confirmed by his wife.
Once a leading figure in television evangelism, Bakker faced significant controversies, including being convicted of financial crimes and revealing an affair with a church secretary.
In 1987, he confessed to a sexual relationship with Jessica Hahn, which contributed to his eventual downfall. Two years later, he was found guilty of fraud and conspiracy.
“It is with a broken heart that I share my beloved husband, Jim Bakker, has gone home to be with the Lord this evening,” stated Lori Bakker, his second wife. “For 66 years, Jim dedicated his life to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was a pioneer of Christian television, but to me, he was my husband, my best friend, and the man I had the honor of standing beside through numerous life and ministry seasons.”
Bakker was born in Muskegon, Michigan, and left Bible college in Minneapolis after marrying his first wife, Tammy Faye Bakker. The couple embarked on a traveling ministry, eventually hosting a children’s show for Pat Robertson.
In 1972, he departed to establish the PTL Satellite Network, which stands for “Praise the Lord.”
During the 1980s and 1990s, Bakker and Tammy Faye gained fame through their widely watched evangelical television program, which reached 13 million viewers at its height. This success led them to create a Christian-themed park and hotel in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
In a pivotal moment in 1987, he confessed to the affair with Jessica Hahn, which forced him to surrender his ministry to Jerry Falwell.
After that, he was convicted of fraud and conspiracy following a financial investigation into his organization. He initially received a 45-year prison sentence, which was later reduced to eight years.
A particularly memorable incident during the trial featured Tammy Faye breaking down in tears at a news conference while singing “On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand.”
Tammy Faye divorced Jim Bakker in 1992, later marrying Roe Messner, the contractor behind the Christian theme park. In 1995, Messner was convicted of bankruptcy fraud, and Tammy Faye passed away from colon cancer in 2007.
Despite his troubles, Bakker continued his evangelical work until his death and was known to support President Donald Trump.
“Even in his last days, his heart remained dedicated to the work of God and spreading the gospel,” concluded Lori Bakker.
