Televangelist Jim Bakker Dies Amidst Past Scandals

Greensboro High Point Winston Salem, NC, October 6, 2026 —

Jim Bakker, a prominent televangelist known for his outreach programs and later for facing significant sex and financial scandals, has died. Details regarding the circumstances or date of his death were not provided in the available information.

Bakker rose to prominence in the 1980s with the “The Jim Bakker Show,” a television program that reached millions of viewers. He co-founded PTL (Praise the Lord) network with his then-wife Tammy Faye Bakker, building a Christian television empire and a theme park called Heritage USA.

His public career was significantly impacted by scandals that emerged in the late 1980s. These included allegations of sexual misconduct and financial impropriety related to PTL’s finances. Bakker was eventually convicted of fraud and conspiracy in 1989, leading to a prison sentence.

The summary provided indicates that Bakker faced both sex and financial scandals during his career. Specific details regarding these scandals, including dates, alleged victims, or the exact nature of the financial impropriety, were not included in the summary.

Following his release from prison, Bakker continued to be involved in ministry, though his public profile and the scale of his operations differed from his earlier prominence. Information on any subsequent legal proceedings, financial settlements, or further details about the nature of the scandals beyond what is stated was not available.

The contractor’s name, specific dates of key events, locations, permit status, inspection outcomes, code violations, or fine amounts associated with the past scandals were not provided in the summary.

Story summarized from the original created by Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY on greensboro.com, see more information here.

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