Jim Bakker, Televangelist and Former TV Empire Builder, Dies at 86

Jim Bakker, a controversial televangelist who established a significant Christian television presence, died Monday. He was 86 years old.

His wife, Lori Bakker, announced his death, stating, "It is with a broken heart that I share that my beloved husband, Jim Bakker, went home to be with the Lord this evening." She added that his final moments were characterized by faith, concluding a life dedicated to preaching.

Bakker gained widespread recognition as the host of "The PTL Club," a Christian television program that aired from the 1970s into the late 1980s. The show, an acronym for Praise the Lord, was co-hosted by his then-wife, Tammy Faye.

The empire built by Bakker eventually encountered significant scandal. In 1987, he resigned from his ministry following allegations that he paid $200,000 in hush money to Jessica Hahn, a former church secretary who accused him of sexual assault. Two years later, Bakker was convicted on 24 counts of mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy. These charges stemmed from the misuse of approximately $400 million in ministry funds that had been raised. He received a 45-year prison sentence, of which he served about five years before his release.

Tammy Faye Bakker, with whom he had two children, divorced him while he was incarcerated. She passed away from cancer in 2007.

Beyond "The PTL Club," Bakker was also known for his role in developing the PTL Satellite Network and Heritage USA, a former Christian theme park.