From the scandal and controversy of their marriage to the divorce that followed, Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Bakker’s story has captivated audiences for decades. But with the recent death of Tammy Faye, many are wondering: is Jim Bakker still alive? In this article, we explore the untold story behind Jim Bakker’s life after his ex-wife’s death, his legacy in Christian television, and more. Read on to find out more!
Introduction to Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Bakker
Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Bakker were two of the most famous televangelists of the 20th century. They rose to prominence in the 1980s with their popular TV show, The PTL Club. The couple founded the highly successful Christian theme park, Heritage USA. In the late 1980s, however, their world came crashing down when Jim was accused of rape and Tammy was diagnosed with cancer.
The couple divorced in 1992 and Tammy passed away in 2007. Jim Bakker has largely stayed out of the public eye since then, but he made headlines again in 2016 when he claimed that the end times were near and that people should buy his survival food kits.
So, is Jim Bakker still alive? Yes, he is. He currently lives in Missouri with his third wife, Lori Graham Bakker.
The Early Life of Jim and Tammy Faye
Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker were born two months apart in 1934. They both grew up in humble beginnings, with Jim being raised by a single mother and Tammy Faye by her grandparents. The two met as teenagers at a church camp, and they were married in 1961.
The Bakkers rose to prominence in the 1970s with their television show, The PTL Club. The show was immensely popular, and it made the Bakkers millionaires. In 1987, however, their world came crashing down when Jim was accused of sexual assault. He resigned from the ministry, and the couple divorced soon after.
Tammy Faye went on to have a successful career as a televangelist and author. She died in 2007 after a long battle with cancer. Jim Bakker is still alive and currently serving a prison sentence for fraud.
Marriage and The PTL Club
In 1987, Jim Bakker was convicted of 24 counts of mail and wire fraud related to the operation of his PTL Club. He was sentenced to 45 years in prison, but only served 22 months. After his release from prison, he divorced Tammy Faye and married Lori Graham.
The PTL Club was a Christian television program that aired on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN). The show featured Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker as hosts, and included a variety of guests, including ministers, music artists, and celebrities.
The couple’s marriage began to unravel after Jim admitted to having an affair with Jessica Hahn, a former Playboy Playmate. The scandal resulted in the collapse of their ministry and the loss of their TV show.
After Tammy Faye’s death in 2007, Jim remarried Lori Graham. The couple now lives in Branson, Missouri, where they operate Morningside Ministries.
The Fall of The PTL Club
In 1987, Jim Bakker’s world came crashing down. The PTL Club, the Christian TV network he founded with his then-wife Tammy Faye, was embroiled in a scandal involving the misuse of funds. As the story made headlines across the country, Jim was forced to step down from his position at the helm of the organization.
The fallout from the scandal was swift and severe. The PTL Club collapsed, and Jim and Tammy Faye were left disgraced and penniless. They divorced soon after, and Tammy Faye went on to remarry. Jim attempted to make a comeback in the early 1990s with a new TV show, but it was short-lived. He has largely stayed out of the public eye since then.
Tammy Faye’s Death and Jim’s Reaction
On July 20, 2007, Tammy Faye Bakker passed away after a long battle with cancer. She was 65 years old. Her death came as a shock to her husband, Jim Bakker, who was not expecting it. He was devastated by her death and could not believe that she was gone.
Jim had always been supportive of Tammy during her battle with cancer, but her death hit him hard. He was not prepared for it and it took him a while to cope with the loss. He did his best to keep going for the sake of their family and their ministry, but it was clear that he was struggling.
In the months after Tammy’s death, Jim slowly started to come out of his grief. He began to focus on the positive memories of his wife and the legacy she left behind. He also started to take more interest in the ministry they had built together and the people they had helped along the way.
While Jim will never be able to fully get over the loss of Tammy, he has been able to find peace in knowing that she is in a better place and that their work together has made a difference in the lives of others.
Jim’s Life After Tammy Faye’s Death
After Tammy Faye’s death, Jim Bakker continued to live his life. He remarried in 1998 and has since had three children. He currently resides in Missouri with his wife and children. Bakker has kept a low profile in recent years, but he did release a book in 2006 called I Was Wrong.
Is Jim Bakker Still Alive?
Yes, Jim Bakker is still alive. After Tammy Faye Bakker’s death, many wondered if Jim would follow suit. However, he is very much alive and has been for some time review. Here is the untold story of what happened after Tammy’s death.
Jim Bakker was absolutely devastated after his wife’s death. He was reportedly inconsolable and spent many days holed up in their home, grieving. It was a very difficult time for him, made even more so by the public scrutiny he was under.
However, Jim eventually emerged from his grief and continued on with his life. He remarried in 1998 and now has a new wife and family. He also continues to be involved in ministry work, although on a much smaller scale than before.
So yes, Jim Bakker is still alive and doing well, despite the tragedy of losing his first wife Tammy Faye.
Conclusion
Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Bakker are two of the most iconic figures in Christian television history. Despite their tumultuous past, Jim has since devoted himself to a life of faith and service. His work with Morningside Church in North Carolina has allowed him to reach out to those in need, while also continuing his mission of spreading God’s word. While the passing of Tammy Faye was undoubtedly a difficult time for Jim, he stands by her legacy and continues on with remarkable resilience. To this day, Jim is still very much alive and actively involved within the church community.
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