Renowned for creating the evangelical powerhouse known as The PTL Club TV show with his first wife Tammy Faye, Jim Bakker has passed away at the age of 86, as confirmed by his second wife, Lori Bakker. The exact cause of his death has not been disclosed.
Lori Bakker expressed her profound loss, highlighting Jim as not just a Christian television pioneer but also as her beloved husband and closest companion throughout their shared journey in life and ministry.
Residing near Branson, Missouri, the couple hosted The Jim Bakker Show from 2003 onwards. Jim Bakker’s health had been a concern after suffering a stroke in 2020.
The Bakkers rose to fame through The PTL Club, a program that attracted millions of viewers in the 1980s, complemented by the establishment of the Heritage USA theme park and hotel in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
Bakker embraces a supporter during a PTL Camp Meeting show. (Will And Deni McIntyre/Getty Images)
Born in Muskegon, Michigan, Jim Bakker’s journey began at North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, where he met Tammy Faye. Their partnership evolved into a traveling ministry characterized by his preaching and her musical talents, ultimately catching the attention of televangelist Pat Robertson.
Subsequently, the Bakkers delved into television, with Jim hosting The 700 Club before establishing the PTL Satellite Network and the iconic The PTL Club.
Cultural Icons
The Bakkers became cultural icons, attracting widespread attention and scrutiny for their opulent lifestyle and charismatic on-screen presence, particularly Tammy Faye’s distinctive makeup and Jim’s uplifting sermons.
However, their empire faced a downfall in 1987 when Jim Bakker’s involvement in a sex scandal with Jessica Hahn surfaced, leading to his resignation and subsequent legal troubles.
Convicted of financial crimes in 1988, Bakker’s life took a tumultuous turn, marked by his prison sentence and the eventual dissolution of his marriage to Tammy Faye in 1992.
During the 1980s, The PTL Club garnered millions of viewers. Here, Bakker engages in prayer with the TV crew in 1978. (Will & Deni McIntyre/Getty Images)
Redemption and New Beginnings
Following his release from prison in 1994, Jim Bakker underwent a transformation, renouncing his past teachings and embarking on a new chapter alongside his second wife, Lori. Together, they launched The Jim Bakker Show in 1998.
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