Jim Bakker, the controversial American televangelist who built a multimillion-dollar Christian media empire before his dramatic fall from grace due to a high-profile sex scandal and federal fraud conviction, has died at the age of 86. His death was publicly announced by his second wife, Lori Bakker, across the social media channels of his broadcasting ministry.
“It is with a broken heart that I share that my beloved husband, Jim Bakker, went home to be with the Lord,” Lori Bakker stated, honoring his 66-year preaching career while keeping the specific cause of death private.
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Table of Contents
1. The Rise and Empire of “The PTL Club”
In the 1970s, Jim Bakker alongside his first wife, Tammy Faye Bakker, co-founded The PTL Club (short for “Praise The Lord” or “People That Love”). The evangelical program quickly grew into one of the most widely watched religious broadcasts in American television history.
At its peak, he reached an estimated 13 million viewers daily across 200 TV stations, generating over $129 million per year in viewer donations. The ministry employed over 2,000 workers and established Jim Bakker as one of the most influential televangelists of the 20th century.
2. The Heritage USA Resort Phenomenon
Capitalizing on the success of their television ministry, Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye developed Heritage USA, a massive 2,300-acre Christian-themed park and resort in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
During the 1980s, Heritage USA attracted nearly six million visitors annually, becoming the third most-visited theme park complex in the United States behind Disney World and Disneyland.
3. The 1987 Sex Scandal and Downfall
The religious empire began to unravel in March 1987 when Jim Bakker abruptly resigned from the PTL ministry. His resignation followed revelations of a 1980 sexual encounter with Jessica Hahn, a former church secretary.
Subsequent investigative reports revealed that Jim Bakker used approximately $265,000 in ministry funds as hush money to secure Hahn’s silence regarding the encounter. The scandal dominated global headlines and brought intense scrutiny to televangelist finances.
4. Federal Fraud Conviction and Prison Sentence
In 1989, federal prosecutors indicted he on 24 counts of mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy. Investigators proved that he defrauded followers out of $158 million by selling $1,000 “lifetime partnerships” for accommodations at Heritage USA that were never built or delivered.
Court proceedings revealed that he diverted $3.7 million to fund a lavish lifestyle featuring multiple mansions, luxury vehicles, and air-conditioned dog houses. Judge Robert Potter initially sentenced him to 45 years in federal prison. The sentence was later reduced on appeal, and Jim Bakker served roughly 4.5 years before his parole release in 1994.
5. Later Years, Remarriage, and Media Return
Following his release from federal custody and a 1992 divorce from Tammy Faye (who passed away in 2007), Jim Bakker married Lori Graham in 1998.
In 2003, Jim Bakker returned to broadcasting with The Jim Bakker Show. Operating out of Missouri, his later broadcasts focused heavily on end-times prophecies, emergency preparedness products, and right-wing political commentary.
