Jimmy Swaggart, a major American televangelist, died at 90 after cardiac arrest on June 15 following two weeks in a Louisiana hospital.
Born in Ferriday, Louisiana, in 1935, he began preaching as a teen and married Frances Anderson at 17.
The couple lived in poverty, preaching wherever they could. His ministry took off in 1969 with radio broadcasts and grew in 1971 with the Jimmy Swaggart Telecast, eventually reaching millions.
By the 1980s, he was a household name, founding the Family Worship Center, a Bible college, and selling over 15 million gospel albums. His fame collapsed in 1988 after being caught with a prostitute, leading to his tearful “I have sinned” confession.
Another scandal in 1991 followed, and he offered no apology, saying, “The Lord told me it’s flat none of your business.” These events damaged his reputation and led to a sharp decline in support. Still, in 2007, he launched the SonLife Broadcasting Network and continued preaching. Despite scandals, he remained a significant figure in American Christianity. He is survived by his wife Frances, son Donnie, and many followers.
