Jimmy Swaggart was one of the first preachers to reach a huge audience through television before a major s*x scandal hurt his career, and he has d**d in Louisiana after spending two weeks in the hospital, a family spokesperson said Tuesday. He was 90 years old.
“Today, our hearts are heavy as we share that Brother Swaggart has finished his earthly race and entered into the presence of His Savior, Jesus Christ,” a tribute posted on his Facebook page stated per NBC News.
“He met his beloved Savior and entered the portals of glory. At the same time, we rejoice knowing that we will see him again one day.”
Swaggart was taken to the hospital on June 15 after going into cardiac arrest, according to his family. During that time, his son Donnie Swaggart, revealed that Jimmy Swaggart needed a miracle “or his time is short.”
Jimmy Lee Swaggart (born March 15, 1935) was an American Pentecostal televangelist, gospel singer, pastor, and author. Raised in Ferriday, Louisiana, he began preaching in his teens and married Frances Anderson when he was just 17 and she was 15. For many years, they lived in poverty, preaching in small churches and motels before Swaggart started radio broadcasts in 1969 and launched the “Jimmy Swaggart Telecast” in 1971. By the early 1980s, his television ministry had gone national, reaching millions of viewers each week. He also founded the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge and established a Bible college.
Swaggart enjoyed a successful gospel music career, selling over 15 million albums and receiving a Grammy nomination. His ministry expanded internationally, drawing large crowds across Latin America, Africa, and other regions.
In 1988, Swaggart was involved in a s*x scandal after being caught with a pr*stit.ute in a motel. He made a tearful public confession on live television, but the fallout was severe. It was known as the “I have Sinned” broadcast. He lost his credentials with the Assemblies of God and saw many of his broadcasts canceled. In 1991, he was again caught with a s*x worker during a traffic stop in California. This time, he declined to publicly confess and briefly stepped away from the pulpit.
These scandals severely damaged his ministry. His Bible college enrollment dropped, donations declined, and many longtime supporters distanced themselves.
Despite the controversies, Swaggart rebuilt his ministry independently. He launched the SonLife Broadcasting Network in 2007 and continues to lead the Family Worship Center.
