Jim Bakker, the televangelist who rose to prominence through the PTL Club television ministry, has died at 86. His second wife, Lori Bakker, said he died Monday, October 5, 2026, although the cause of death was not disclosed. Bakker’s career included the creation of a major Christian broadcasting operation, a widely publicized personal scandal and a federal conviction involving PTL finances.
He later returned to television and ministry after serving prison time, continuing to broadcast with Lori through the Jim Bakker Show. He had suffered a stroke in 2020.
| 1) | Bakker’s rise in Christian broadcasting |
| 2) | The growth of the PTL ministry |
| 3) | Scandal, prosecution and imprisonment |
| 4) | A later return to television ministry |
| 5) | Family, legacy and final years |
Bakker’s rise in Christian broadcasting
Jim Bakker was born in Muskegon, Michigan, and attended North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, where he met Tammy Faye Bakker. The couple married in 1961 and left college to establish a traveling ministry. Bakker preached while Tammy Faye sang and played the accordion at churches and tent revivals across the United States.
In the 1960s, Bakker joined the Christian Broadcasting Network under Pat Robertson. He developed an early daily Christian children’s program called “Come On Over” and later became the first host of “The 700 Club,” a program that featured ministers and Christian musicians.
The growth of the PTL ministry
Bakker left the network in 1972 and formed the PTL Satellite Network two years later. “The PTL Club,” with PTL standing for “Praise the Lord,” became the ministry’s signature program. Its format combined conversations with guests, Christian entertainment and Bakker’s sermons, while Tammy Faye provided music.
During the 1980s, the program reached millions of viewers and generated substantial donations. The ministry also developed Heritage USA, a Christian-themed park and hotel complex in Fort Mill, South Carolina. The operation’s large audience and fundraising success made Bakker one of the most prominent figures in American religious broadcasting.
Scandal, prosecution and imprisonment
Bakker’s ministry began to collapse in March 1987 after he acknowledged a sexual encounter with church clerk Jessica Hahn. He turned over control of the organization to pastor and broadcaster Jerry Falwell.
In 1988, Bakker was indicted on charges of mail fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy following an investigation into PTL’s finances. He was convicted and initially sentenced to 45 years in federal prison. The sentence was later reduced to eight years, and he was released on parole in 1995.
“It is with a broken heart that I share that my beloved husband, Jim Bakker, went home to be with the Lord this evening,” Lori Bakker said.
Tammy Faye divorced Bakker in 1992 while he was imprisoned. She later married Roe Messner, who had worked as a building contractor on projects including Heritage USA. Tammy Faye died of colon cancer in 2007.
A later return to television ministry
After his release, Bakker married Lori in 1998. Five years later, the couple launched “The Jim Bakker Show” through the PTL Satellite Network. The program presented biblical and prophetic commentary and framed current events through the couple’s Christian ministry.
Bakker’s later activities also drew legal scrutiny. In June 2021, he and Morningside Church Productions Inc. reached a settlement in a lawsuit alleging that he had falsely claimed the health supplement Silver Solution could cure COVID-19. The agreement provided $156,000 in refunds to people who had paid for or contributed money to obtain the product during the early stages of the pandemic.
Family, legacy and final years
Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye had two children. Bakker and Lori later adopted five children in 2002. Lori said her husband had devoted 66 years to preaching and described him as a pioneer of Christian television, a close friend and a committed minister.
Bakker’s final years followed a career marked by both influence and controversy. His programs helped expand Christian television’s national reach, while the PTL collapse and criminal conviction became defining episodes in the history of American televangelism. His cause of death remained unclear after his death was announced.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Jim Bakker died at age 86 on October 5, 2026. |
| 2 | He became nationally known through The PTL Club and the PTL Satellite Network. |
| 3 | He was convicted of mail fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy linked to PTL finances. |
| 4 | Bakker resumed broadcasting after his release and later hosted a program with Lori. |
| 5 | His cause of death was not disclosed. |
Summary
Jim Bakker leaves behind a complicated legacy in American Christian broadcasting. He helped build a high-profile television ministry that attracted millions of viewers, but his career was later overshadowed by a sexual scandal, financial crimes conviction and prison sentence. His return to television demonstrated his continued influence among supporters, while the controversies surrounding PTL remained central to public assessments of his life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Jim Bakker?
Jim Bakker was an American televangelist who co-founded the PTL ministry and hosted The PTL Club television program.
How did Jim Bakker become prominent?
He gained prominence through Christian broadcasting, first with programs connected to the Christian Broadcasting Network and later through The PTL Club.
Why was Jim Bakker imprisoned?
He was convicted of mail fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy in a case involving the finances of his PTL ministry.
What was Jim Bakker’s cause of death?
His cause of death had not been disclosed when his death was announced.