• Jim Bakker, 86, who co-founded 'The PTL Club', has died; his legacy includes a mix of success and scandal.
• His rise in the 1980s included a television show that attracted millions of viewers daily and a Christian theme park.
• Bakker became embroiled in sex scandals and financial crimes, leading to a prison sentence.
• He remarried in 1998 and continued his ministry through 'The Jim Bakker Show' until his death.
• His life has been depicted in popular media, including the biographical film 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye'.

Jim Bakker, the influential televangelist and co-founder of "The PTL Club," has died at the age of 86. His death was confirmed by his second wife, Lori Bakker, although the cause was not disclosed. “He was a pioneer of Christian television... and the man I was honored to walk beside through so many seasons of life and ministry,” Lori expressed in her statement, reflecting on their time together in Branson, Missouri, where they filmed "The Jim Bakker Show" since 2003.

Bakker, who rose to fame in the 1980s with "The PTL Club," reached an audience of up to 13 million viewers per day. He and his first wife, Tammy Faye Bakker, developed a wide-reaching evangelical empire, which included establishing the Heritage USA theme park and hotel in South Carolina. Bakker's charisma and the couple's lively presentation style made them national figures, establishing him as a key player in the televangelism movement.

However, Bakker's career was marred by scandal beginning in 1987 when revelations of his sexual encounter with church secretary Jessica Hahn surfaced, leading to his resignation from the PTL ministry. This incident marked the beginning of a downward spiral, culminating in his conviction on multiple counts of fraud in 1989, resulting in a prison sentence that lasted over four years. Despite the turmoil, Tammy Faye remained by his side until their divorce in 1992.

After his release on parole in 1994, Bakker continued his ministry, marrying Lori in 1998. They launched "The Jim Bakker Show" where he maintained a presence in the evangelical community. In 2021, however, Bakker faced legal challenges again when he was sued for falsely claiming that a health supplement could cure COVID-19, which resulted in a settlement requiring him to issue refunds. His complex legacy continues to attract attention, particularly with the release of films examining his life, such as "The Eyes of Tammy Faye."