Televangelist Jim Bakker, who built a faith-based empire before resigning amid scandal, dies at 86 - CNN
Televangelist Jim Bakker, known for building a massive religious media empire in the 1970s and 80s, has died at age 86. His career was marked by both immense popularity and a major financial and sex scandal that led to his imprisonment.
Why it matters
Bakker was a central figure in the history of American televangelism and the intersection of religion and media culture.
Televangelist Jim Bakker, who rose to national prominence in the 1970s and ‘80s before stepping down from his ministry amid scandal, has died. He was 86. “It is with a broken heart that I share that my beloved husband, Jim Bakker, went home to be with the Lord this evening,” according to an announcement from his wife, Lori Bakker, shared on the Jim Bakker Show’s Facebook Monday evening. “For 66 years, Jim gave his life to preaching 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 was honored to walk beside through so many seasons of life and ministry,” she wrote in her statement. “Jim loved people deeply. He loved this ministry, and he loved the friends and partners who stood with him throughout the years,” she wrote.
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3 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Jim Bakker: US televangelist, disgraced in fraud and sex scandal, dies at 86
Jim Bakker, who built 'PTL Club' televangelism empire, has died at 86
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