A closer look at “Jim Bakker Dies at 86: Televangelist Who Built PTL Empire and Served Prison Time”, exactly as the source publishes it. Jim Bakker, the televangelist who rose to fame with ex-wife Tammy Faye Bakker and built the PTL (Praise the Lord) media empire, has died at 86. His wife, Lori Bakker, announced his death on social media, saying he 'went home to be with the Lord.' Bakker's career spanned decades, from hosting 'The PTL Club' to later founding Morningside Church in Branson, Missouri.
He was a pioneer in religious broadcasting, using satellite technology to reach millions, but his legacy was marred by a 1989 fraud conviction related to PTL's financial collapse, for which he served five years in prison. Bakker's story—of meteoric rise, scandal, and later reinvention—reflected the boom-and-bust cycles of televangelism in the late 20th century. This listing links straight to the original page, where the content is available in full.