Televangelist Jim Bakker, Co-Creator of PTL Club, Dies at 86
Televangelist Jim Bakker, co-creator of the "PTL Club" empire with Tammy Faye, has died at the age of 86. The couple's success was later overshadowed by scandal and financial crimes.
Tampa St. Petersburg, FL, October 6, 2026 — Televangelist Jim Bakker, a prominent figure in electronic religious ministry and co-founder of the PTL Club television network, has died. He was 86 years old. Bakker, alongside his former wife Tammy Faye Bakker, rose to national prominence in the latter half of the 20th century, building a vast religious media empire.
The PTL Club, which stood for “Praise the Lord” or “People That Love,” became a cornerstone of televangelism, broadcasting from the Heritage USA theme park and Christian resort in South Carolina. The couple’s charismatic on-air presence and appeals for donations helped them amass a considerable following and significant financial resources.
However, the successes of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker were eventually overshadowed by controversy. In the late 1980s, Bakker’s public image and ministry were severely impacted by scandal. This period led to his conviction for financial crimes, including wire fraud and mail fraud, related to his fundraising efforts for PTL. He served time in prison for these offenses.
The narrative of Bakker’s career is one of significant rise and dramatic fall, a trajectory that has been documented and analyzed in media and cultural discussions concerning televangelism and its impact. His passing at the age of 86 marks the end of a complex chapter in the history of religious broadcasting in the United States.
Story summarized from the original created by Tatiana Carter on www.wfla.com, see more information here.
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