Jim Bakker, Controversial Televangelist and Ex-Husband of Tammy Faye Bakker, Dies at 86

Jim Bakker, the controversial televangelist and ex-husband of Tammy Faye Bakker, died on Monday evening. He was 86. Bakker’s wife, Lori, confirmed his passing in a statement shared to the Instagram account belonging to his show, “The Jim Bakker Show.” His cause of death was not immediately revealed. “It is with a broken heart that I share that my beloved husband, Jim Bakker, went home to be with the Lord this evening,” Lori wrote alongside a photo of the TV minister. “For 66 years, Jim gave his life to preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was a pioneer of Christian television, but to me, he was my husband, my best friend, and the man I was honored to walk beside through so many seasons of life and ministry.” She added: “Jim loved people deeply. He loved this ministry, and he loved the friends and partners who stood with him throughout the years. Even in his final days, his heart was still for the work of God and for the Gospel to continue reaching the world.” As Lori went on, she noted that their family was grieving and asked for privacy. “Jim finished his race with faith,” she concluded. “His voice, his vision and his legacy will never be forgotten.” In 1974, Bakker, along with his first wife, the aforementioned Tammy Faye, founded the Christian television program, “The PTL Club.” The enterprise later grew into a religious broadcast empire, which included their theme park, Heritage USA. More to come…