The Aporia
The Aporia
Jim Bakker, a controversial televangelist who built a Christian television empire with his ex-wife Tammy Faye, died at age 86 on October 5, according to his wife Lori Bakker. Bakker was best known for hosting The PTL Club, which he launched in the 1970s and ran until 1989, raising millions annually from viewers.
However, in 1987, Bakker resigned after paying a church secretary $200,000 to keep quiet about allegations of sexual assault. He was later convicted on 24 counts of mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy for misusing ministry funds worth over $400 million and served nearly five years in prison.
Despite his scandals, Bakker continued preaching after his release and built a new television show, "The Jim Bakker Show," from 2003 until recently. He died of undisclosed causes near Branson, Missouri, where he lived with Lori.
