Jim Bakker, who lost his PTL Club televangelism empire in sex and money scandals, dies at 86
Televangelist Jim Bakker, known for building the PTL Club empire and his subsequent downfall due to financial and sex scandals, has died at 86. Bakker remained a prominent, albeit controversial, figure in American religious broadcasting for decades.
Why it matters
Bakker's life and career represent a significant chapter in the history of American televangelism and the intersection of religion and media.
Jim Bakker poses in front of the water park in Columbia, S.C., one of his Heritage USA attractions, on March 19, 1987. Lou Krasky/The Associated Press
Jim Bakker, who along with his first wife Tammy Faye built an evangelical empire around the hugely successful The PTL Club TV show, only to lose it all over a sex scandal and financial crimes, has died. He was 86.
Bakker died Monday, his second wife, Lori Bakker, said in a statement. His cause of death was not immediately clear.
“He was a pioneer of Christian television, but to me, he was my husband, my best friend, and the man I was honoured to walk beside through so many seasons of life and ministry,” she said.
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