US televangelist Jim Bakker, disgraced from sex scandal and fraud, dies at 86
Also reported by CBS News
Summary
Jim Bakker, a US televangelist who once ran a large Christian TV program and was jailed for fraud and conspiracy, died at age 86. He built a big media empire before being involved in a sex scandal and legal problems, then later started a new TV ministry with his second wife.Key Facts
- Jim Bakker created The PTL Club TV show in 1974 with his first wife, Tammy Faye, reaching 13 million viewers daily at its peak.
- Their ministry grew to include 2,000 employees and a large theme park called Heritage USA in South Carolina.
- Bakker was involved in a 1980 sexual encounter scandal with Jessica Hahn, which led to his resignation and loss of ministerial status.
- He was convicted in 1989 of mail and wire fraud related to the theme park and served over four years in prison.
- Tammy Faye divorced him in 1992 and died in 2007; Bakker remarried Lori Bakker in 1998.
- After prison, Bakker wrote a book called "I Was Wrong" and returned to TV ministry with Lori, starting "The Jim Bakker Show" in 2008.
- His death was announced by Lori Bakker; the cause was not specified.
- The Bakkers were known for a flashy lifestyle including private jets, luxury cars, multiple homes, and even an air-conditioned dog house.
