Jim Bakker Passes Away
Televangelist Jim Bakker, Famous for PTL Club and Scandals, Dies at 86
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Key Points
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Bakker’s television career began with church puppet shows. Televangelist Pat Robertson invited him to bring the show to a fledgling Virginia TV station; Bakker agreed on the condition that they could eventually create a Christian program modeled on a “Tonight” show.
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Reflecting on the PTL scandal in a 2000 interview, Bakker said, “I wanted people to believe in my dream, and my dream became more important than the people.” He added that putting the dream of a Christian community ahead of the community itself was a sin.
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The charges against Bakker included tax fraud, wire fraud and mail fraud. WBTV reported that he used his television show and the mail to promote the sale of PTL partnerships.
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Bakker’s son, Jay Bakker, also confirmed his father’s death on social media; both Jay and Lori asked for privacy as the family grieved.
Televangelist Jim Bakker, who built a multi-million-dollar evangelical empire in the 1970s and '80s before being disgraced by scandal, died at 86 on October 5. CNN reported that his wife Lori announced the death and asked for prayers and privacy. The cause was not immediately disclosed.
Bakker co-founded and hosted "The PTL Club" with his then-wife Tammy Faye Messner, running what KESQ called "the evangelistic empire 'Praise the Lord.'" He developed the PTL network and Heritage USA theme park. But his empire collapsed in 1987 when he resigned amid a sex scandal and financial crisis that led to a fraud conviction.
From Puppet Shows to National Fame
Bakker's television career started small — with church puppet shows. Devdiscourse reported that televangelist Pat Robertson invited him to bring the show to a Virginia TV station. Bakker agreed on one condition: they would eventually create a Christian program modeled on "The Tonight Show." That vision became "The PTL Club," which made him a household name.
Fraud Conviction and Prison Time
In 1987, Bakker resigned from ministry amid scandal and financial wrongdoing. Devdiscourse reported he faced charges including tax fraud, wire fraud, and mail fraud. He used his television show and the mail to promote PTL partnerships. A court convicted him and sentenced him to 45 years in prison. However, he served fewer than five years and was paroled in 1994.
Bakker's Reflection and Return to Broadcasting
In a 2000 interview, Bakker reflected on his fall. He said, "I wanted people to believe in my dream, and my dream became more important than the people." He called it a sin to put the dream ahead of the community itself. After his release, Bakker returned to Christian broadcasting and promoted various products, including a supplement he claimed could treat COVID-19. A lawsuit over those claims was later settled with restitution to consumers.
Family Confirms Death and Asks for Privacy
Bakker's son Jay confirmed the death on social media. CNN reported that both Jay and his current wife Lori asked for privacy as the family grieved. No funeral plans were announced immediately following the announcement.
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