Jim Bakker

1940 — 2026

The rise, fall and final chapter of a television preacher.

Photo (1975): Unknown author / Public domain

CH 01

OCT 5, 2026

Jim Bakker Dies at 86

His wife, Lori Bakker, announced his death and asked for prayers and privacy for the family.

Photo: Unknown author / Public domain

CH 02

1960s

Early Broadcasting

Bakker worked with the Christian Broadcasting Network and became an early host of The 700 Club.

Photo: Mitch Ames / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

CH 03

1974

The PTL Club

Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker launched The PTL Club, which drew a large national audience.

Photo: Arielinson / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

CH 04

HERITAGE USA

Beyond Television

He helped develop Heritage USA, a Christian retreat and theme-park complex in South Carolina.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

CH 05

LATE 1980s

The Collapse

His ministry collapsed amid financial and sexual-misconduct scandals, ending his leadership of PTL.

Photo: Riction / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

CH 06

1989

Conviction

Bakker was convicted of federal fraud and conspiracy charges and was paroled in 1994 after about five years.

Photo: Digidreamgrafix / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

CH 07

1998

A Second Act

After prison he returned to ministry and married Lori Graham in 1998.

Photo: Bill Nicholls / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

CH 08

2003

The Jim Bakker Show

Jim and Lori launched the show, produced from Morningside near Branson, Missouri.

Photo: Arkivet, Thorvaldsens Museum / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

CH 09

CONTROVERSY

A Divisive Figure

His career combined major influence with serious legal and financial controversy.

Photo: Wolfmann / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

CH 10

LEGACY

The Final Chapter

His death closes a long, complicated chapter in American televangelism — a legacy still debated.

Photo: Tony Webster / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

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Photos: public domain and Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)