Controversial Televangelist Jim Bakker Passes Away at 86

WHO:

ABC News - Jim Bakker's second wife, Lori Bakker, stated, “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.”

CNN - Jim Bakker's second wife, Lori Bakker, shared a statement about his death on the Jim Bakker Show’s Facebook.

TMZ - Jim Bakker was in hospice care in Missouri when he died.

TMZ - Stone County Coroner John Cunnyngham confirmed that Jim Bakker was under the "immediate care" of a doctor in a hospice program before his passing.

ABC News - Jim Bakker and his second wife, Lori, lived near the Missouri entertainment town of Branson.

CNN - Jim Bakker's second wife, Lori Bakker, shared a statement about his death on the Jim Bakker Show’s Facebook.

ABC News - Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye had two children; he and his second wife, Lori, adopted five children in 2002.

CNN - Jim Bakker was born in Muskegon, Michigan.

CNN - Bakker attended North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, where he met his first wife, Tammy Faye.

NY Post - Jim Bakker mourned the death of his sister, Donna Puckett, who died at the age of 91 on September 29 in Hollister, Missouri.

CNN - Lori Bakker stated, “For 66 years, Jim gave his life to preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 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.”

CNN - Jim Bakker, televangelist, died at the age of 86.

CNN - Lori Bakker, Jim Bakker's wife, announced his death.

CNN - Tammy Faye Messner, Jim Bakker's former wife, who died in 2007.

WHAT:

CNN - Bakker's death was announced on a Monday evening.

CNN - Bakker's cause of death has not been disclosed.

CNN - Bakker's ministry included the Christian-based Heritage USA theme park and hotel in Fort Mill, South Carolina, which opened in 1978 and was the nation’s third most popular attraction in 1986.

CNN - Bakker's wife, Lori Bakker, shared that he passed away on a Monday evening.

CNN - Bakker's second wife, Lori, stated, “Even in his final days, his heart was still for the work of God and for the Gospel to continue reaching the world.”

CNN - Bakker's ministry included the Christian-based Heritage USA theme park and hotel in Fort Mill, South Carolina, which opened in 1978 and was the nation’s third most popular attraction in 1986.

CNN - Lori Bakker stated, “It is with a broken heart that I share that my beloved husband, Jim Bakker, went home to be with the Lord this evening.”

CNN - Lori Bakker described Jim as “a pioneer of Christian television” and expressed her deep personal connection to him, stating, “he was my husband, my best friend, and the man I was honored to walk beside through so many seasons of life and ministry.”

CNN - Bakker's second wife, Lori, stated, “Even in his final days, his heart was still for the work of God and for the Gospel to continue reaching the world.”

CNN - Bakker's ministry included the Christian-based Heritage USA theme park and hotel in Fort Mill, South Carolina, which opened in 1978 and was the nation’s third most popular attraction in 1986.

CNN - Bakker's ministry included the Christian-based Heritage USA theme park and hotel in Fort Mill, South Carolina, which opened in 1978.

CNN - The Heritage USA Grand Hotel was added in 1984, and a water park joined the complex in 1986.

CNN - In 1986, more than 6 million people visited Heritage USA, making it the nation’s third most popular attraction after Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

ABC News - Jim Bakker and his second wife, Lori, filmed "The Jim Bakker Show" in Branson, Missouri, since its launch in 2003.

ABC News - Bakker suffered a stroke in early 2020, which led to Lori Bakker announcing he would take a sabbatical from their TV show.

ABC News - The theatrical movie "The Eyes of Tammy Faye," depicting Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker's lives, was released in September 2021.

NY Post - Bakker and his second wife, Lori, were reported to be "heartbroken" by the passing of his sister.

ABC News - At its peak in the mid-1980s, Bakker's ministry included "The PTL Club," which drew up to 13 million nightly viewers and generated millions of dollars annually from followers.

ABC News - In June 2021, Bakker and his Morningside Church Productions Inc. settled a lawsuit for $156,000 in refunds related to claims that the health supplement Silver Solution could cure COVID-19.

CNN - Lori Bakker shared that Jim Bakker “loved people deeply. He loved this ministry, and he loved the friends and partners who stood with him throughout the years.”

CNN - Jim Bakker passed away, with no cause of death provided.

CNN - Bakker was a pioneer of Christian television and co-hosted "The PTL Club."

CNN - Bakker was involved in a financial and sex scandal that led to his resignation from the PTL ministry in 1987.

CNN - Bakker was charged with fraud and sentenced to 45 years in prison, serving just under five years.

CNN - Bakker's ministry, PTL, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 1987.

WHERE:

CNN - Bakker's ministry was based in suburban Charlotte, North Carolina.

CNN - The Heritage USA theme park was located in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

WHEN:

ABC News - Jim Bakker died on Monday, October 5, at the age of 86.

US Magazine - Jim Bakker died on Monday, October 5, at the age of 86.

NY Post - Jim Bakker mourned the death of his sister, Donna Puckett, who died at the age of 91 on September 29, just a week before his own passing.

ABC News - A theatrical movie on Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker's lives, “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” was released in September 2021.

CNN - Jim Bakker's death was announced on a Monday evening.

ABC News - A theatrical movie on Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker's lives, “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” was released in September 2021.

NY Post - Donna Puckett's death occurred on September 29, just a week before Jim Bakker's own passing.

CNN - Jim Bakker was born in 1939 and died at the age of 86.

CNN - Bakker resigned from PTL on March 19, 1987.

CNN - Bakker was indicted for fraud in December 1988.

CNN - Bakker was paroled in December 1994.

WHY:

CNN - Bakker stated, “I wanted people to believe in my dream, and my dream became more important than the people,” reflecting on his past mistakes.

CNN - Bakker admitted to a sexual encounter with church clerk Jessica Hahn, which led to his resignation from PTL on March 19, 1987.

CNN - Bakker's resignation was due to a scandal involving an affair with secretary Jessica Hahn.

CNN - Bakker stated, “I wanted people to believe in my dream, and my dream became more important than the people,” reflecting on his past mistakes.

HOW:

TMZ - Jim Bakker was in hospice care in Missouri when he died, under the "immediate care" of a doctor in a hospice program.

CNN - Bakker's ministry faced a lawsuit in June 2021, which resulted in a settlement for $156,000 in refunds related to claims that the health supplement Silver Solution could cure COVID-19.

CNN - Bakker's ministry included the Christian-based Heritage USA theme park and hotel in Fort Mill, South Carolina, which opened in 1978 and was the nation’s third most popular attraction in 1986.

CNN - Bakker's empire began to unravel after reports of a $250,000 payment and lavish spending came to light.

ABC News - Bakker and a guest claimed that the health supplement "Silver Solution" could eliminate the coronavirus from the body within hours during 11 episodes in February and March 2020.

ABC News - The lawsuit stated that Bakker and a guest made the cure claim during 11 episodes in February and March of 2020.

CNN - Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Bakker hosted “700 Club” from 1966 to 1973, which was syndicated across the nation.

CNN - Bakker and his then-wife started their television career with puppet shows at a church.

CNN - Bakker was charged with defrauding churchgoers of $158 million.

(UPDATED October 7, 2026 01:29 UTC)

Jim Bakker, a pioneer of Christian television, passed away on Monday, October 5, at the age of 86, while in hospice care in Missouri. His second wife, Lori Bakker, expressed her deep love and admiration for him, saying, “He was my husband, my best friend, and the man I was honored to walk beside through so many seasons of life and ministry.” The cause of Bakker's death has not been disclosed at this time.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 19:05 UTC)

Jim Bakker, a pioneer of Christian television, has passed away at the age of 86. His wife, Lori Bakker, shared a heartfelt statement on the Jim Bakker Show’s Facebook, reflecting on their 66 years together and his dedication to preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Bakker was also known for his ministry's involvement in the Heritage USA theme park and hotel in Fort Mill, South Carolina, which opened in 1978 and became the nation's third most popular attraction in 1986.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 17:59 UTC)

Jim Bakker has passed away while in hospice care in Missouri, as confirmed by Stone County Coroner John Cunnyngham, who noted he was under the immediate care of a doctor at the time. His wife, Lori Bakker, shared that he died on a Monday evening, just a week after mourning the loss of his sister, Donna Puckett, who passed away at the age of 91 on September 29. Bakker's ministry had previously faced legal troubles, settling a lawsuit in June 2021 for $156,000 related to claims that a health supplement could cure COVID-19.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 16:00 UTC)

Jim Bakker, who lived near the entertainment town of Branson, Missouri, made a significant impact with his ministry, which included the popular Heritage USA theme park and hotel in Fort Mill, South Carolina, that opened in 1978. His second wife, Lori, shared that even in his final days, Bakker's heart remained dedicated to the work of God and spreading the Gospel. Reflecting on his past, Bakker acknowledged, “I wanted people to believe in my dream, and my dream became more important than the people.”

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 15:01 UTC)

Lori Bakker shared a heartfelt statement on the Jim Bakker Show’s Facebook, announcing the death of her husband, Jim Bakker, describing it as a moment filled with deep sorrow. She called Jim a pioneer of Christian television and reflected on their close bond, saying he was not only her husband but also her best friend and partner through many life and ministry seasons. Bakker was known for his influential ministry, which included the Heritage USA theme park and hotel in Fort Mill, South Carolina, a popular attraction that opened in 1978.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 14:01 UTC)

Jim Bakker, known for his influential ministry, had two children with Tammy Faye and adopted five more with his second wife, Lori, in 2002. Lori shared that even in his final days, Bakker's heart remained dedicated to spreading the Gospel, a mission that included the establishment of the Heritage USA theme park and hotel in South Carolina, which was a major attraction in the 1980s. Reflecting on his past, Bakker acknowledged that his ambition sometimes overshadowed the people around him, stating, “I wanted people to believe in my dream, and my dream became more important than the people.”

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 13:08 UTC)

Jim Bakker, born in Muskegon, Michigan, attended North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, where he met his first wife, Tammy Faye. His ministry was highlighted by the Christian-based Heritage USA theme park and hotel in Fort Mill, South Carolina, which opened in 1978 and saw over 6 million visitors in 1986, making it the nation's third most popular attraction at the time. However, Bakker's empire began to crumble following his admission of a sexual encounter with church clerk Jessica Hahn, leading to his resignation from PTL on March 19, 1987, amid reports of a $250,000 payment and extravagant spending.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 12:00 UTC)

Jim Bakker and his second wife, Lori, have been filming "The Jim Bakker Show" in Branson, Missouri, since its launch in 2003, although Bakker took a sabbatical after suffering a stroke in early 2020. In September 2021, the theatrical movie "The Eyes of Tammy Faye," which depicts the lives of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, was released. During February and March 2020, Bakker and a guest controversially claimed that the health supplement "Silver Solution" could eliminate the coronavirus from the body within hours across eleven episodes.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 09:03 UTC)

Jim Bakker is mourning the loss of his sister, Donna Puckett, who passed away at the age of 91 in Hollister, Missouri. Bakker and his second wife, Lori, are said to be heartbroken over her death, which occurred just a week before his own passing. Donna Puckett's death took place on September 29.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 07:14 UTC)

At its peak in the mid-1980s, Bakker's ministry, which included "The PTL Club," attracted up to 13 million viewers each night and generated millions of dollars from its followers. In June 2021, Bakker and his Morningside Church Productions Inc. reached a settlement in a lawsuit for $156,000, which involved refunds related to claims that a health supplement called Silver Solution could cure COVID-19. The lawsuit alleged that Bakker and a guest promoted this cure during 11 episodes aired in February and March of 2020.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 06:00 UTC)

Lori Bakker shared heartfelt memories of her late husband, Jim Bakker, who dedicated 66 years to preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ and was a pioneer of Christian television. She emphasized his deep love for people, his ministry, and the friends and partners who supported him throughout his life. Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker were well-known for hosting the "700 Club" from 1966 to 1973, a show that reached audiences across the nation.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 05:04 UTC)

Televangelist Jim Bakker has passed away at the age of 86, with his wife Lori announcing the news but no cause of death provided. Bakker was a pioneer of Christian television, co-hosting "The PTL Club" and facing significant controversies, including a financial and sex scandal that led to his resignation from the ministry in 1987 and a fraud conviction that resulted in a 45-year prison sentence, of which he served just under five years. He was born in 1939 and is remembered for his impact on religious broadcasting, as well as for the downfall of his ministry, PTL, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 1987.