Date of Birth: January 2, 1940
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Date of Death: (Leave blank as Jim Bakker is still alive as of the knowledge cutoff date)
Biography
Jim Bakker is an American televangelist, former Assemblies of God minister, and television personality who is best known for founding the PTL (Praise The Lord) Club with his then-wife, Tammy Faye Bakker, in the 1970s. Born in Muskegon, Michigan, Bakker attended North Central University, an Assemblies of God school, where he met Tammy Faye LaValley. Together, they launched a religious broadcasting empire that included the PTL Club and the Heritage USA Christian theme park in South Carolina. Bakker’s rise to prominence was marked by his ability to blend entertainment with evangelical preaching, making the PTL Club one of the most watched religious shows of its time. However, his career took a dramatic turn in the late 1980s when he was embroiled in a scandal involving financial mismanagement and accusations of sexual misconduct. In 1989, Bakker was convicted on multiple counts of fraud and conspiracy, leading to a prison sentence. He was released on parole after serving about five years of his 45-year sentence. After his release, Bakker returned to television with “The Jim Bakker Show,” focusing on end-time prophecies and survivalist themes. Despite his past controversies, he has managed to maintain a dedicated following.
5 Interesting Facts about Jim Bakker
1. Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Bakker were pioneers in Christian television, bringing a unique blend of entertainment and evangelical preaching to the masses.
2. The PTL Club, at its peak, was broadcast on more than 1,200 cable systems and attracted millions of viewers.
3. Heritage USA, the theme park Bakker founded, was one of the most popular tourist attractions in the United States during the 1980s.
4. Bakker’s sexual misconduct accusations involved church secretary Jessica Hahn, which led to a highly publicized scandal.
5. After being released from prison, Bakker reinvented himself as a televangelist focusing on apocalyptic prophecies and survivalism.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jim Bakker
1. “You can make it. No matter what comes, God is still on the throne.”
2. “When you come to the end of yourself, you find God.”
3. “I was wrong in my emphasis. Instead of working for the Lord, I was working for Jim Bakker.”
4. “I have sinned against you, my Lord.”
5. “We are living in the most prophetic time in history.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career in the 1980s, Jim Bakker’s net worth was estimated to be around $80 million.
Children
Jim Bakker has two children with his first wife, Tammy Faye Bakker: 1. Tammy Sue Bakker Chapman 2. Jamie Charles Bakker
Relevant Links
1. [Jim Bakker Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Bakker
2. [The Jim Bakker Show Official Website](https://jimbakkershow.com/
3. [Biography on Biography.com](https://www.biography.com/religious-figure/jim-bakker