Television evangelist Jim Bakker, who garnered significant fame in the world of religious broadcasting, has died at the age of 86. His passing occurred on 5th October while he was receiving hospice care in Branson, Missouri. The exact cause of his death has yet to be revealed.
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According to local sources, the Stone County Coroner, John Cunnyngham, confirmed that the hospice team alerted him of Bakker’s death just after 7:45 p.m. on the day of his passing. Arrangements are in place to transfer his remains to a funeral home located in Kimberling City, although further details regarding funeral arrangements have not been disclosed.
Bakker’s wife, Lori, shared the news of his demise via a poignant social media post. Expressing her grief, she remarked, “It is with a broken heart that I share that my beloved husband, Jim Bakker, went home to be with the Lord this evening.” In her tribute, she emphasized Jim’s dedication to Christian ministry, stating, “For 66 years, Jim gave his life to preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Jim Bakker first rose to prominence as a televangelist in the 1970s alongside his former wife, Tammy Faye Bakker. The couple founded “The PTL Club” (an acronym for “Praise the Lord”) in 1974, which started from a modest base in a converted furniture store in Charlotte, North Carolina. The programme’s success facilitated the rapid expansion of their religious broadcasting empire and the establishment of a Christian theme park, Heritage USA, in South Carolina.
However, the couple’s rise to fame and fortune was marred by scandals that ultimately led to the downfall of their ministry. Investigations revealed financial mismanagement, including allegations that Bakker misused funds raised through his ministry. For instance, he marketed $1,000 “lifetime memberships” to a luxury hotel that was never fully realised; only one hotel with 500 rooms was completed. It was reported that Bakker accrued over $3.4 million from this venture while substantial amounts were diverted to cover operational expenses.
In a further blow to his reputation, Bakker faced serious allegations related to sexual misconduct. In 1987, former church secretary Jessica Hahn accused him of rape, which he steadfastly denied, claiming the encounter was consensual. These accusations surfaced amid a federal investigation, culminating in Bakker being indicted on 24 counts of mail and wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud the public.
Subsequently, in 1989, Bakker was convicted on all counts and received a prison sentence of 45 years, although he ultimately served only five years before his release in 1994. During this time, Bakker and Tammy Faye divorced, and she later remarried. She passed away from colon cancer in 2007.
After his release from prison, Jim Bakker embarked on a second marriage with Lori Beth Graham in 1998. The couple adopted five children, bringing their family total to seven, which includes Jim’s two children from his first marriage, his son Jay and daughter Tammy Sue.
Bakker returned to the world of televangelism upon his remarriage, establishing “The Jim Bakker Show” in 2003. Lori Bakker often joined him in their new ministry, which included themes about apocalyptic predictions and marketing products purportedly connected to “end times” scenarios.
Jim Bakker leaves behind a legacy that is both controversial and impactful in the realm of religious broadcasting. He is survived by his wife, Lori Bakker, and their children, as well as several grandchildren. Lori requested privacy for the family during this time of mourning, acknowledging the difficulties they face while celebrating Jim’s unwavering commitment to his faith until his last days.