US televangelist Jim Bakker, disgraced from sex scandal and fraud, dies at 86

October 6, 2026

Jim Bakker, a prominent American televangelist who rose to fame in the 1970s and 1980s, has died at age 86, according to an announcement by his second wife Lori. Bakker and his first wife Tammy Faye created The PTL Club, a Christian television program that attracted millions of daily viewers and generated a multimillion-dollar empire including a massive theme park complex. His career collapsed in the late 1980s following revelations of a sexual encounter with a church secretary that was paid off using ministry funds, leading to his removal from ministry and a fraud conviction for which he served over four years in prison.

Who is affected

Jim Bakker (deceased)
Lori Bakker (second wife)
Tammy Faye Bakker (first wife, previously deceased in 2007)
Jessica Hahn (church secretary involved in 1987 scandal)
Viewers and followers of Bakker's television ministries
The 2,000 employees who worked for the PTL empire
Those convicted alongside him in the fraud conspiracy

What action is being taken

No explicit ongoing actions are described in the article.

Why it matters

Jim Bakker's death marks the end of a controversial figure who helped pioneer Christian television broadcasting and demonstrated both the potential reach and the pitfalls of televangelism in America. His rise and fall illustrated issues of accountability, financial misconduct, and abuse of power within religious media organizations, serving as a cautionary tale about the dangers of mixing faith, celebrity, and wealth. His story had lasting cultural impact, influencing public perception of televangelists and inspiring broader conversations about transparency in religious organizations.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC