Jim Bakker, Televangelist Who Made Millions Proclaiming Prosperity Gospel

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 9, 2026

Televangelist Jim Bakker, who rose to fame with his PTL ministry and prosperities gospel teachings before a high-profile scandal and prison sentence, died on October 5, 2026, at age 86. His life story highlights the dramatic rise and fall of one of America’s most influential religious broadcasters, as well as his later efforts to rebuild his ministry and serve underserved communities.

Jim Bakker, the televangelist known for his rise and fall in the world of American religious broadcasting, died on October 5, 2026, at the age of 86. Bakker gained prominence in the 1970s and 1980s as a charismatic preacher who popularized the prosperity gospel—the belief that material wealth is a sign of divine favor.

Born James Orsen Bakker on January 2, 1940, in Muskegon, Michigan, he initially led a troubled youth before pursuing a religious path. After attending a revival led by evangelist Oral Roberts in 1960, Bakker became captivated by the potential of religion as entertainment. He married Tammy Faye in 1961 and was ordained in 1964. Both worked at the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) with Pat Robertson, where they developed a popular children’s show before founding their own ministry, Praise the Lord (PTL), in 1972.

Under Bakker’s leadership, PTL grew into a multimillion-dollar religious empire. At its peak, PTL broadcasts reached over 13 million American households, and the ministry received about $1 million daily in donations. The Bakkers’ lavish lifestyle became emblematic of their message, with multiple luxury homes, expensive cars, and extravagant personal expenditures, including an air-conditioned dog kennel and costly private jet flights. Their signature project was Heritage USA, a Christian-themed resort in South Carolina that attracted six million visitors annually, becoming the third most popular resort in the United States during the mid-1980s.

The couple’s prominence also saw them associating with political figures, including U.S. presidents Jimmy Carter, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush. However, Bakker’s career unraveled amid scandal in 1987 when rival evangelist Jerry Falwell accused him of diverting hundreds of thousands of dollars in PTL funds to cover up an alleged sexual encounter with church secretary Jessica Hahn. Hahn’s claims detailed a 1980 incident involving Bakker and another preacher, which she described as an abusive encounter. Bakker’s handling of the scandal, including a $265,000 payoff to Hahn, eventually contributed to his resignation from PTL and criminal prosecution.

In 1989, Bakker was convicted on charges related to fraud and conspiracy and served time in prison. During incarceration, he reflected on his past, reportedly rejecting his former emphasis on wealth and acknowledging a broader scriptural ministry to the poor. After his release, Bakker gradually returned to public life, receiving a warm reception from many in the evangelical community and delivering speeches to large congregations.

Bakker remarried in 1998 to Lori Graham and together they established a Christian camp in Florida focused on inner-city youth. His later years included a return to television ministry supported by a loyal audience and investors despite past controversies.

Jim Bakker is survived by his wife Lori Graham, two children from his first marriage, and five adopted children. His legacy remains a complex chapter in American religious history, marked by both remarkable success and public disgrace.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.