Televangelist Jim Bakker Mourned Sister One Week Before His Own Death
Donna Puckett, 91, died on September 29, with Bakker expressing his heartbreak before his passing at 86.
Scandal-plagued televangelist Jim Bakker died at 86, just a week after mourning the death of his sister, Donna Puckett, who passed away at 91. Puckett died in Hollister, Missouri, on September 29, a loss that left Bakker and his second wife, Lori, heartbroken, according to an obituary.
Bakker shared his grief on Facebook, calling his sister "precious" and noting her significant role in his ministry. He wrote that Puckett "served alongside me in ministry and touched the lives of more people than we will ever know." He also highlighted her deep love for Jesus and faithful service to the Lord for many years. Puckett, an avid piano player, was survived by three grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Her cause of death was not disclosed.
During Bakker's 1988 fraud and conspiracy trial, Puckett demonstrated her loyalty by tearfully denying that her brother would flee the country, as a judge had questioned.
Bakker's death was announced by his wife, Lori, on Monday. His own cause of death has not been revealed. Lori Bakker stated that Jim had dedicated 66 years to preaching the Gospel and was a pioneer of Christian television.
Bakker rose to prominence in the late 1970s and 1980s with "The PTL Club," which at its peak drew 13 million viewers nightly. He and his first wife, Tammy Faye, whom he divorced in 1992, met at North Central Bible College and married in 1961. Their ministry also included the creation of Heritage USA, a Christian-themed amusement park.
His career was marred by scandal in 1987 when a hush-money payment to Jessica Hahn, who accused him of rape, came to light. Bakker admitted to consensual sexual relations with Hahn. He resigned from PTL, and Jerry Falwell took over the ministry. This led to a federal investigation, and Bakker was initially sentenced to 45 years in prison, later reduced to eight years.
More recently, in 2021, Bakker and his Morningside Church Productions were ordered to pay $156,000 for promoting a colloidal silver supplement as a cure for COVID-19.