Who Was Jim Bakker?
Jim Bakker, the televangelist who became one of the most recognizable figures in American Christian television through The PTL Club, has died at 86. His second wife, Lori Bakker, announced his death on October 5, 2026. She described him as her husband and best friend and said he remained committed to his ministry until the end. His cause of death was not disclosed.
Born James Orsen Bakker on January 2, 1940, in Muskegon, Michigan, Bakker met Tammy Faye at North Central Bible College in Minneapolis. The couple married in 1961 and began traveling together in Christian ministry, with Bakker preaching and Tammy Faye performing music. Their work eventually led them into television broadcasting.
What Happened?
Bakker rose to national prominence in the 1970s and 1980s as co-host of The PTL Club, a Christian television program he developed with Tammy Faye. The ministry expanded into a major media and fundraising operation and included Heritage USA, a large Christian-themed resort and entertainment complex in South Carolina.
At its height, The PTL Club reached millions of viewers. The ministry generated substantial revenue through television programming, donations and partnership sales.
The empire collapsed in the late 1980s following revelations surrounding Bakker’s sexual encounter with Jessica Hahn and the use of ministry funds. In 1989, Bakker was convicted on federal fraud and conspiracy charges connected to the sale of partnerships tied to Heritage USA. He initially received a 45-year sentence, which was later reduced. He served roughly five years before his release in 1994.
Career After PTL
After leaving prison, Bakker rebuilt a television ministry and returned to Christian broadcasting. He married Lori Graham in 1998, and the couple later operated The Jim Bakker Show from the Branson, Missouri, area.
Bakker remained a controversial figure in evangelical media. His later career included political commentary, apocalyptic teachings and the promotion of survival-oriented products. His ministry also faced legal scrutiny over claims concerning products marketed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Legacy
Jim Bakker’s public legacy is closely connected to the extraordinary rise of televangelism in the United States and the financial and ethical controversies that accompanied that growth. His career reached millions of viewers and helped shape the commercial model of Christian broadcasting.
His death closes a life marked by religious broadcasting, immense public influence, criminal prosecution and a later return to television ministry. He is survived by his wife Lori, children and grandchildren.