Jim Bakker, the controversial televangelist known for co-hosting “The PTL Club” with his first wife, Tammy Faye, died at 86. His passing was confirmed by his second wife, Lori Bakker, though the cause remains unclear. Known as a pioneer of Christian television, Jim Bakker faced significant challenges in his career, including a 1987 sexual scandal that led to his resignation from PTL and eventual prison time for financial crimes.
Born in Muskegon, Michigan, Bakker started as a traveling preacher before finding fame with PTL, which attracted millions of viewers in the 1980s. The couple’s influence waned amidst scandal and legal battles, culminating in Tammy Faye’s divorce just before Bakker’s release from prison. After marrying Lori in 1998, he hosted “The Jim Bakker Show.” The couple faced legal troubles again when Bakker was sued for making false health claims about a product during the COVID-19 pandemic. He and Tammy Faye had two children and adopted five more with Lori.
Tammy Faye passed away in 2007, leaving behind a legacy intertwined with Bakker’s turbulent journey through faith and controversy.
