1940 — 2026
The rise, fall and final chapter of a television preacher.
Photo (1975): Unknown author / Public domain
CH 01
OCT 5, 2026
His wife, Lori Bakker, announced his death and asked for prayers and privacy for the family.
Photo: Unknown author / Public domain
CH 02
1960s
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
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
He helped develop Heritage USA, a Christian retreat and theme-park complex in South Carolina.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
CH 05
LATE 1980s
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
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
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
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
His career combined major influence with serious legal and financial controversy.
Photo: Wolfmann / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
CH 10
LEGACY
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)