Jim Bakker, PTL Founder and 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye' Subject, Dies at 86
Jim Bakker, the televangelist who co-founded the PTL ministry and Heritage USA theme park with his ex-wife Tammy Faye Messner, has died at age 86. His wife, Lori Bakker, announced his passing on October 5, 2026, stating he 'went home to be with the Lord.' Bakker rose to prominence in the 1970s and 80s, building a media empire that included the Inspiration Network and a theme park that drew over 6 million visitors annually. However, his career ended in 1987 amid a scandal involving a paid hush money arrangement with a secretary and subsequent fraud charges. He served five years of a 45-year prison sentence before being paroled in 1994. He later returned to television with 'The Jim Bakker Show' and faced a 2020 lawsuit over false claims regarding a coronavirus cure. His life story was depicted in the 2021 film 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye,' for which Jessica Chastain won an Oscar.