Jim Bakker, ‘PTL Club’ televangelist, dies at 86
NEW YORK (CBS, KYMA) - One of the most controversial figures in the world of televangelism has died at 86.
Jim Bakker built a multi-million dollar religious empire more than 40 years ago, but then lost it all to financial and sex scandals.
His wife, Lori, said Bakker died Monday.
Bakker shot to fame with first wife Tammy Faye, becoming Christian royalty in the 1970s and 1980s and preaching the gospel of wealth.
Their Christian TV program, "The PTL Club," which stood for "praise the lord" and "people that love," was eventually watched by up to 13 million viewers per day and raked in millions of dollars from loyal followers.
The televangelist couple also created the Christian-based Heritage USA Theme Park and Hotel in South Carolina, showcasing some of their riches, but by 1987, their empire began to fall apart when Bakker admitted to a sexual encounter with a church clerk, Jessica Hahn.
She claimed she had been raped, but he denied the accusation. It was discovered Bakker used ministry funds as hush money to silence her.
Bakker was forced to resign, and turn operations over to famed pastor Jerry Falwell.
The sex scandal prompted an investigation into the ministry's finances.
Famously tearing up, his wife, Tammy Faye, stood by her man.
In 1988, Bakker was indicted for mail fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy for bilking his followers. He was found guilty and sentenced to 45 years in federal prison.
Bakker and Tammy Faye divorced in 1992 while he was still in prison. After getting out, he launched "The Jim Bakker Show" in 2003 with his second wife, Lori.
In 2021, Bakker and his church settled a lawsuit that accused him of falsely claiming a health supplement could cure covid.
On Sunday, his son, Jay Bakker, who also became a prominent evangelist, wrote on social media, "We had a very complicated relationship and he was also my father and a grandfather and I need to mourn in my own time."
