Jim Bakker Bio, Age, Wife, Death, Scandals & Net Worth

Who was Jim Bakker? | Biography

Jim Bakker was an American televangelist, author, and broadcaster best known for The PTL Club and The Jim Bakker Show. He helped expand Christian television through preaching, interviews, fundraising, and religious entertainment. However, financial crimes and a sexual misconduct scandal overshadowed his broadcasting success. Bakker died on October 5, 2026, aged 86, according to his wife, Lori Bakker.

Born January 2, 1940, in Muskegon, Michigan, James Orsen Bakker grew up in a Christian household. He attended North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, where he met Tammy Faye LaValley. They married in 1961 and left college to pursue a traveling ministry. Together, they welcomed two children, Tammy Sue and Jay Bakker.

During the 1960s, Bakker joined Pat Robertson’s Christian Broadcasting Network and became the first host of The 700 Club. Subsequently, he helped establish Trinity Broadcasting Network before building his PTL ministry. In 1974, he founded the PTL Satellite Network, which expanded his national audience. Additionally, he developed Heritage USA, a Christian theme park and resort in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

In 1987, Bakker resigned from PTL following revelations involving Jessica Hahn and payments using ministry funds. Hahn accused him of sexual assault, which he denied. In 1989, a federal jury convicted him of fraud and conspiracy. He served nearly five years in prison before gaining parole in 1994. Meanwhile, Tammy Faye divorced him in 1992.

Bakker married Lori Graham in 1998, and they adopted five children. Later, the couple launched The Jim Bakker Show in 2003 near Branson, Missouri. His later broadcasts emphasized biblical prophecy, end times, and survival supplies. He also wrote I Was Wrong, reflecting on his downfall. Ultimately, his career combined influential Christian broadcasting with lasting controversy.

Jim Bakker Age | How Old was Jim Bakker?

Jim Bakker was 86 years old when he died on October 5, 2026. Born January 2, 1940, Bakker grew up in Muskegon, Michigan. Consequently, he celebrated his final birthday in January 2026. His birth date places his zodiac sign under Capricorn. Bakker began pursuing ministry as a young adult and built a Christian television career spanning several decades. Later, he launched The Jim Bakker Show in 2003, at age 63. His wife, Lori Bakker, announced his death through the ministry’s social media accounts. However, she did not immediately disclose his cause of death. His life spanned more than eight decades.

Jim Bakker Height | How Tall was Jim Bakker?

Jim Bakker’s reported height was approximately 173 centimeters, or 5 feet 8 inches. This published figure describes the American televangelist’s stature during his broadcasting career. However, it does not establish his exact height during his final years. His first wife, Tammy Faye Bakker, stood approximately 4 feet 11 inches tall. Consequently, the reported measurements suggest a nine-inch height difference between the former couple. Together, they became recognizable television personalities through The PTL Club. Later, Bakker returned to Christian broadcasting alongside his second wife, Lori. His television appearances continued through The Jim Bakker Show, which he launched in Missouri in 2003.

Jim Bakker Education

Jim Bakker attended North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which later became North Central University. The institution maintained an affiliation with the Assemblies of God. During his college studies, he met fellow student Tammy Faye LaValley in 1960. Subsequently, they married on April 1, 1961, and left college to begin a traveling ministry. Bakker did not graduate or complete his college degree. Instead, he developed practical ministry experience through preaching at churches and tent revivals. Meanwhile, Tammy Faye contributed music to their services. His educational background centered on Bible college attendance before his eventual career in Christian television broadcasting.

Jim Bakker First Wife Tammy Faye Bakker

Jim Bakker’s first wife was Tammy Faye Bakker, an American televangelist, singer, and television personality. They met at North Central Bible College in Minneapolis and married on April 1, 1961. Together, they welcomed two children, Tammy Sue and Jay Bakker. Subsequently, they built their Christian broadcasting ministry around The PTL Club and developed Heritage USA. However, financial and sexual misconduct scandals shattered their ministry during the late 1980s. Tammy Faye divorced Jim in 1992 while he served his prison sentence. Later, she married building contractor Roe Messner in 1993. She died on July 20, 2007, aged 65, following colorectal cancer.

Jim Bakker Wife | New Wife

Jim Bakker’s second wife was Lori Bakker, a Christian minister, author, and television host formerly known as Lori Beth Graham. They met at the Dream Center in Los Angeles and married on September 4, 1998. Subsequently, they adopted five children and built a shared ministry. In 2003, the couple launched The Jim Bakker Show in Branson, Missouri. Additionally, Lori founded Lori’s House, which supports pregnant women facing difficult circumstances. Their marriage lasted 28 years, until Jim died on October 5, 2026, aged 86. Lori announced his death publicly and described him as her husband, best friend, and longtime ministry partner.

Jim Bakker Children

Jim Bakker had two biological children with Tammy Faye Bakker and adopted five children with his second wife, Lori Bakker. His daughter, Tammy Sue Bakker Chapman, arrived on March 2, 1970. His son, Jamie Charles “Jay” Bakker, followed on December 18, 1975. Both children appeared on The PTL Club while growing up. Later, Tammy Sue worked as a producer on The Jim Bakker Show. Meanwhile, Jay became a pastor, author, and speaker. In 2002, Jim and Lori adopted five siblings from Phoenix, Arizona. Lori had known the children through her ministry work before they joined the couple’s family through adoption.

Jim Bakker Family | Parents, Brothers and Sister Donna Puckett

Jim Bakker’s parents were Raleigh Bakker and Furnia Lynette “Furn” Irwin. They raised him in Muskegon, Michigan, within a strict Christian household. His father worked as a machinist, while his mother managed their home. Additionally, his grandfather preached within the Pentecostal tradition. Bakker’s siblings included brothers Norman “Norm” Bakker and Robert “Bob” Bakker, alongside sister Donna Jean Puckett. Norman died on January 4, 2014, aged 80. Later, Donna died on September 29, 2026, aged 91, shortly before Jim’s death. She worked in PTL Ministries’ accounting operations. Throughout his life, family members participated in different aspects of his Christian broadcasting ministry.

Jim Bakker Death and Cause of Death | What Happened at 86?

Jim Bakker died on October 5, 2026, at age 86. His wife, Lori Bakker, announced his passing that evening through The Jim Bakker Show’s social media accounts. She described him as her best friend and a pioneer of Christian television. Additionally, she highlighted his 66 years of preaching and requested prayers and privacy for their grieving family. Meanwhile, his son, Jay Bakker, also confirmed his father’s passing publicly.

However, his family has not publicly disclosed Jim Bakker’s cause of death as of October 6, 2026. Bakker suffered a stroke in 2020, but his death announcement did not identify that condition as the cause. Jim and Lori had shared 28 years of marriage after their September 4, 1998 wedding. Together, they launched The Jim Bakker Show in 2003 near Branson, Missouri. His death closed a career encompassing The PTL Club, Heritage USA, and a return to television ministry alongside his wife.

Jim Bakker Scandals | PTL Fraud, Jessica Hahn and COVID Claims

What was Jim Baker convicted of?

Jim Bakker’s scandals included sexual misconduct allegations, PTL financial fraud, and controversial health product claims. In 1987, revelations exposed a $279,000 payment to Jessica Hahn using ministry funds. Hahn accused Bakker of rape, while he maintained their encounter was consensual. Subsequently, he resigned from PTL, and investigators examined the ministry’s finances. In 1989, a federal jury convicted him on 24 counts of fraud and conspiracy. The case involved misleading promises of vacation benefits at Heritage USA. A judge imposed 45 years in prison, but later proceedings reduced his sentence. Bakker served nearly five years before gaining parole in 1994.

However, controversy followed his return to Christian television. In 2020, Missouri sued him over claims that Silver Solution could treat COVID-19. In 2021, Bakker and Morningside Church Productions agreed to $156,000 in consumer refunds. Additionally, the settlement prohibited marketing Silver Solution as a treatment for illness. Bakker did not admit wrongdoing.

Jim Bakker Books | I Was Wrong and Other Published Titles

Jim Bakker wrote books about Christian faith, personal repentance, community, and biblical prophecy. His memoir, I Was Wrong, examined his PTL downfall, imprisonment, and divorce. Subsequently, his later writing emphasized spiritual restoration and preparing for difficult times. Additionally, his bibliography included these published titles:

• Move That Mountain (1976)
• Eight Keys to Success (1980)
• I Was Wrong (1996)
• Prosperity and the Coming Apocalypse (1998)
• The Refuge: The Joy of Christian Community in a Torn-Apart World (2000)
• Time Has Come: How to Prepare Now for Epic Events Ahead (2013)
• You Can Make It: God’s Faithfulness in Dark Times—Past, Present, and Future (2021)

Jim Bakker Net Worth 2026

Jim Bakker’s estimated net worth was $50,000 before his death in October 2026. However, this figure represents an unofficial estimate, rather than a confirmed valuation of his estate. His career included Christian television, book publishing, and religious product sales. During the 1980s, his PTL ministry generated approximately $129 million annually. Those revenues belonged to the ministry and did not represent his personal net worth. Subsequently, fraud convictions, imprisonment, and tax debts complicated his finances. Later, he returned to broadcasting through The Jim Bakker Show alongside Lori Bakker. His books included I Was Wrong, The Refuge, and Time Has Come.

Biography Summary