Televangelist Jim Bakker Dies at Age 86

Televangelist Jim Bakker has died at age 86. He first became famous hosting "The PTL Club" before admitting to a sexual encounter with a church clerk and facing conviction for financial crimes. His second wife, Lori, confirmed the passing on Monday. The official cause of death remains unclear, yet this loss follows a stroke he suffered in 2020.

Lori Bakker issued a statement filled with grief. "It is with a broken heart that I share that my beloved husband, Jim Bakker, went home to be with the Lord this evening," she said. She noted that for 66 years he dedicated his life to preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. While history remembers him as a pioneer of Christian television, Lori described him simply as her husband and best friend. Even in his final days, his heart remained fixed on God's work and reaching the world with the message.

Born in Muskegon, Michigan, Bakker attended North Central Bible College in Minneapolis where he met Tammy Faye. They married in 1961 and left college to launch a traveling ministry. He preached while she sang and played the accordion as they crossed the country visiting churches and tent revivals. In the 1960s he joined the Christian Broadcasting Network under Pat Robertson. There, Jim developed one of the first daily hour-long shows for Christians called "Come On Over." Later he became the first host of a groundbreaking talk show named "The 700 Club," featuring top ministers and singers of that era.

He left CBN in 1972 and formed the PTL Satellite Network two years later. The signature show was "The PTL Club," with PTL standing for "Praise the Lord." At its peak popularity in the 1980s, the program drew millions of viewers and generated millions of dollars annually from followers according to The Associated Press. The format centered on chats with guests and Christian entertainers while Bakker offered upbeat sermons and Tammy Faye sang. Their ministry also included a Christian-based theme park and hotel called Heritage USA in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

The empire began to unravel in March 1987 when Bakker admitted to a sexual encounter with church clerk Jessica Hahn. This scandal forced him to turn over operations to pastor and broadcaster Jerry Falwell. In 1988 he faced indictment for mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy after an investigation into PTL finances. He was convicted and sentenced to 45 years in federal prison before the term was later reduced to eight years. At a news conference following his guilty verdict, Tammy Faye stood before microphones and sang the hymn "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand." She divorced him in 1992 while he served time behind bars.

Tammy Faye then married Roe Messner, a building contractor involved with Heritage USA projects. Messner spent about two years in prison after conviction for bankruptcy fraud in 1995. Tammy Faye later died of colon cancer in 2007. Bakker was released on parole in 1995 and wed Lori in 1998. They launched "The Jim Bakker Show" five years later on the PTL Satellite Network. The show describes itself as an hour-long daily broadcast featuring prophetic and Biblical revelations brought to light in today's world where God provides answers at just the right time. And the time is now.

Bakker and Tammy Faye had two children together.

In 2002, he and his second wife welcomed five adopted children into their family home. That news outlet link invites readers to find more stories on Fox News right now. Meanwhile, reports from The Associated Press reveal a different chapter involving Bakker and Morningside Church Productions Inc. back in June of 2021. They reached an agreement after facing legal action for misleading claims that the Silver Solution supplement could cure COVID-19. Those who bought or donated money to get the product during the early pandemic days received refunds totaling $156,000 as part of the deal. The Associated Press helped put this entire report together for public knowledge.