Jim Bakker, televangelist whose broadcasting empire collapsed in scandal, dies at 86
His wife Lori confirmed the death of the television preacher, whose rise with Tammy Faye and fall through scandal made him a prominent figure in televangelism.
By Hushread Stories, written with AI from 8 outlets · First published 6 Oct 2026
In brief
- Televangelist Jim Bakker has died at 86, with his second wife, Lori Bakker, confirming his death on Monday.
- Bakker and his first wife, Tammy Faye, built an evangelical broadcasting empire around The PTL Club television show.
- He rose to fame with the PTL network in the 1970s before later being convicted of fraud and conspiracy.
- A sex scandal and financial crimes brought down the television ministry that had made Bakker famous.
- His sister, Donna Puckett, died at 91 in Hollister, Missouri, on September 29, shortly before his own death.
Timeline · 2 moments
Lori Bakker confirms Jim Bakker's death at 86
The Independent ↗Bakker's sister Donna Puckett dies at 91
New York Post ↗How it started
Jim Bakker built his television ministry alongside his first wife, Tammy Faye. Their hugely successful show, "The PTL Club," became the center of an evangelical broadcasting empire, according to NPR News.
The New York Times described their broadcasting business as built around the gospel of prosperity. Television gave the couple an audience and helped turn their ministry into a juggernaut.
How it unfolded
Bakker rose to fame with the PTL network in the 1970s, NBC News reported. His later convictions for fraud and conspiracy marked a stark reversal of that success.
A sex scandal and financial crimes brought down the empire Bakker and Tammy Faye had built, according to CBS Top Stories. The coverage identifies both as central to his downfall but does not provide a detailed chronology of those events.
On September 29, his sister, Donna Puckett, died at 91 in Hollister, Missouri. Bakker mourned her death shortly before his own passing, New York Post reported.
His second wife, Lori Bakker, confirmed his death on Monday, October 5, according to The Independent. He was 86.
Where it stands
Reports published on October 6 describe Bakker through both the scale of his television ministry and the scandals that destroyed it. The New York Times focused on the prosperity gospel broadcasting empire, while NBC News highlighted his fraud and conspiracy convictions.
The supplied coverage does not state a cause of death or give funeral arrangements.
More in Entertainment
All →
Caleb Flynn Sentenced to Life Without Parole for Wife's Murder
The former American Idol contestant was sentenced in Ohio on October 5, after a jury found him guilty of killing his wife, Ashley Flynn, earlier this year.
13 sources · today
Tom Cruise's 'Digger' Flops at Box Office, Faces Massive Losses
Tom Cruise's 'Digger' opened to dismal box office numbers, is set to lose up to $150 million, and has divided critics.
30 sources · over 7 days
Lanterns Season 1 Finale Reveals Hal Jordan's Killer and Hints at Future Storylines
The finale of HBO Max's Lanterns wraps up Hal Jordan's murder mystery, introduces major DC Universe connections, and leaves fans speculating about the show's possible second season.
9 sources · over 2 days