Who Was Jimmy Swaggart? Televangelist Who Amassed Millions Before Prostitution Scandals Toppled His Media Empire Dies

(MENAFN- Live Mint) Jimmy Swaggart, a once-prominent Pentecostal televangelist whose multimillion-dollar ministry was rocked by prostitution scandals, has died at 90. His death was announced Tuesday on his public Facebook page; no cause was given.

A fiery preacher and gospel musician from Louisiana, Swaggart rose to national fame in the 1980s, drawing millions of viewers and raising over $140 million a year through Jimmy Swaggart Ministries. But his career imploded in 1988 after he was photographed with a prostitute-followed by a tearful confession and resignation from the Assemblies of God.

Despite further scandal in 1991 and a shrinking audience, Swaggart continued preaching from his Baton Rouge church, often alongside his son Donnie, and maintained a global presence online and on radio. Known for his controversial sermons and musical roots shared with cousins Jerry Lee Lewis and Mickey Gilley, Swaggart's legacy remains a symbol of both the power and pitfalls of televangelism.

Early life and background

• Born: March 15, 1935, Ferriday, Louisiana
• Grew up poor in a devout Pentecostal family known for its musical talent.
• His cousins included rock and roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis and country singer Mickey Gilley.
• Swaggart said he first felt a call to preach at age 8.
• He worked in oil fields while preaching part time until he devoted himself fully to ministry in his early 20s.

Building a media empire

Swaggart began with revival meetings, gospel performances, and radio broadcasts.

He launched a magazine and then moved into television evangelism, where he became nationally famous.

By the mid-1980s:

• Jimmy Swaggart Ministries employed hundreds of staff.
• His television programs aired across the US and internationally.
• The ministry took in an estimated $142 million in annual revenue.
• His sermons were often fiery and controversial.
• He denounced Catholicism as a“false religion.”
• He blamed Jewish suffering on the rejection of Christ.

Scandals and downfall

• Swaggart publicly criticised rival preachers for sexual misconduct, which led to bitter feuds.
• 1988: A private investigator hired by one of those rivals photographed Swaggart with a prostitute in New Orleans.
• In a tearful televised confession, he declared,“I have sinned against you.”“I beg you to forgive me.”
• The Assemblies of God defrocked him after he refused to undergo a two-year rehabilitation and suspension.
• He resigned rather than submit, saying he had to protect his ministry and college.
• 1991: He was again caught with another prostitute in California.
• These scandals caused his ministry's donations and viewership to collapse.
• Swaggart paid rival preacher Marvin Gorman $1.8 million to settle a defamation lawsuit over prior accusations.

Later years

• Swaggart remained active in preaching despite a greatly diminished platform.
• He continued services at the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge.
• Broadcasts went out by radio, TV, and the internet.
• He sometimes attracted controversy with inflammatory remarks, such as a 2004 comment joking about killing a gay man who looked at him“amorously.” He later apologised.
• He largely stayed out of the public spotlight except for occasional appearances, such as singing at funerals or releasing a gospel album with Jerry Lee Lewis.

(With AP inputs)

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