Jim Bakker, the televangelist who built a Christian television empire before scandals sent his career crashing down, has passed away at 86.
Bakker and his first wife, Tammy Faye, rose to fame through The PTL Club, attracting millions of viewers before a bombshell scandal and a major financial fraud case marred the ministry’s reputation in the late 1980s.
Jim passed away on Monday, October 5, with his second wife, Lori Bakker, announcing the news in an emotional public statement.