BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, who once had a massive following and a multimillion-dollar ministry, has passed away at the age of 90. His death was announced on his public Facebook page on Tuesday. A cause of death has not been specified, but he had been in poor health and had suffered cardiac arrest the previous month.
Hailing from Ferriday, Louisiana, Swaggart became widely recognized as a charismatic Pentecostal preacher. His rise to fame was marred by controversy, notably after being caught on camera with a prostitute in New Orleans in 1988. This scandal was emblematic of a series of similar downfalls among prominent TV preachers during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Although he continued to preach for many years following the scandal, his audience diminished significantly.
Swaggart's moment of reckoning came in 1988 during a tearful sermon where he confessed, "I have sinned against you," pleading for forgiveness without specifically mentioning the scandal involving the prostitute. Later that year, he announced his resignation from the Assemblies of God after the church decided to defrock him, mandating a two-year rehabilitation program that included a year away from preaching.
Born into a family rich in musical talent, with his cousins being rock 'n' roll star Jerry Lee Lewis and country artist Mickey Gilley, Swaggart found his calling at the young age of eight. He began his career in ministry after working in oil fields, eventually transitioning to preaching and music full time. He quickly gained prominence through radio shows and television, where his outspoken views garnered a devoted following. At his peak in 1986, Jimmy Swaggart Ministries generated an estimated $142 million.
However, Swaggart faced multiple scandals that would lead to his decline. The first major incident occurred in 1988 when he was photographed with Debra Murphree, a known prostitute, sparking public outrage. Following this, he was involved in a further scandal in 1991 when he was detained with another prostitute, leading to further legal troubles and mockery from late-night television hosts.
Despite these scandals, Swaggart continued to preach, with his son Donnie often joining him in their Baton Rouge church. By this time, his ministry had adapted, utilizing radio and internet platforms to reach audiences nationwide and globally. He stayed relatively out of the public eye but remained active within his ministry until his passing.
Swaggart's later years included occasional controversies, such as a statement he made in 2004 regarding a gay man looking at him, which prompted laughter from his congregation but was later retracted with an apology. He participated in a few public appearances, including singing at high-profile funerals, but largely stayed focused on his ministry.
Jimmy Swaggart is survived by his wife Frances, son Donnie, daughter Jill, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His ministry and its outreach continue to be remembered, as Donnie Swaggart pledged to uphold his father's legacy by promoting the gospel and distributing Bibles.
