BRANSON — Jim Bakker died at the age of 86. Lori Bakker announced his death in a statement on social media.

The cause of Bakker's death was not disclosed. "It is with a broken heart that I share that my beloved husband, Jim Bakker, went home to be with the Lord this evening," Lori Bakker said. She described him as a pioneer of Christian television and her best friend.

"For 66 years, Jim gave his life to preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ," she added. "He was a pioneer of Christian television, but to me, he was my husband, my best friend, and the man I was honored to walk beside through so many seasons of life and ministry," she said. "I wanted people to believe in my dream, and my dream became more important than the people," Jim Bakker said. "When the dream of Christian community becomes more important than the community, that’s when it’s a sin," he said.

Bakker formed the PTL Satellite Network in 1974. PTL stands for "Praise the Lord." The network was the first Christian satellite network in the United States. "The PTL Club" debuted in 1976. At its peak, the ministry drew 13 million viewers on 200 TV stations and brought in approximately $129 million annually. The Heritage USA theme park opened in Fort Mill, South Carolina, in 1978. The Heritage USA Grand Hotel opened in 1984. A water park joined the complex in 1986.

More than 6 million people visited Heritage USA in 1986. It was the nation's third most popular attraction that year, after Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Bakker was indicted for fraud and conspiracy in December 1988. Prosecutors accused him of defrauding followers of $158 million. The conviction in 1989 included 24 counts of fraud and conspiracy.

Prosecutors alleged he defrauded followers of nearly $160 million through promises of lifetime vacation packages. The trial lasted six weeks. Prosecutors presented evidence that he used ministry funds to finance a lavish lifestyle, including multiple homes, luxury cars, and mink coats. Judge Robert Potter sentenced Bakker to 45 years in prison. "Those of us who do have a religion are sick of being saps for money-grubbing preachers and priests," Potter said.

"I have sinned. I have made mistakes. But never in my life did I intend to defraud anyone," he said.

His prison sentence was later reduced to eight years after an appeal in 1991. He served four and a half years in prison. Bakker was released on parole in December 1994. Tammy Faye Bakker divorced him in 1992. She died of cancer in 2007. The couple had two children. Bakker married Lori Graham in 1998. Lori Bakker became involved in ministry work in the inner-city of Los Angeles before marrying him. The couple adopted five children in 2002.

They started a TV ministry together in 2003. They began taping The Jim Bakker Show at Morningside near Branson, Missouri, in 2008. Bakker wrote a book titled I Was Wrong. In 2017, he said Christians would launch a civil war if Donald Trump were impeached. Bakker suffered a stroke in 2020. Bakker and Morningside Church Productions Inc. settled a lawsuit in June 2021 for $156,000. The lawsuit accused him of falsely claiming the health supplement Silver Solution could cure COVID-19. The film The Eyes of Tammy Faye was released in 2021.

Andrew Garfield portrayed Bakker in the film. Jessica Chastain portrayed Tammy Faye Bakker.

Timeline

Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye LaValley married in 1961. Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Bakker launched a children's puppet show on Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network in 1965. Jim Bakker hosted "The 700 Club" starting in 1966. Jim Bakker left the Christian Broadcasting Network in 1972. Jim Bakker formed the PTL Satellite Network in 1974. "The PTL Club" debuted in 1976. Jim Bakker had a sexual encounter with church secretary Jessica Hahn in 1980.

What's New

Later reporting includes details that Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Bakker launched a children's puppet show on Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network in 1965. Jim Bakker and Lori Bakker adopted five children in 2002. Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Bakker had two children. Tammy Faye Bakker was treated at the Betty Ford Center for prescription drug addiction in 1987.

Jessica Hahn received a one-time $115,000 payment and monthly interest payments from a $150,000 trust fund. Jim Bakker met Tammy Faye LaValley at North Central Bible College.

Why It Matters

Bakker's career spanned the rise and fall of a major evangelical media empire. The PTL Satellite Network reached millions of viewers and generated annual revenue before collapsing under the weight of fraud allegations and scandal. The case resulted in one of the most prominent convictions of a religious leader in the late 20th century.

The legacy of Bakker and his first wife, Tammy Faye, continues to influence public perceptions of televangelism. Their story was revisited in the 2021 film The Eyes of Tammy Faye. Bakker's later ministry and legal settlements demonstrate the enduring scrutiny faced by figures in this sector.