Televangelist Rocked By Prostitution Scandal Jimmy Swaggart Is Dead
Pioneering Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, one of the first preachers to bring his ministry to a massive TV audience before enduring a damaging sex scandal, died in Louisiana.
His death followed a two-week hospitalisation, a family representative said on Tuesday.
He was 90.
“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,” according to a statement posted on his Facebook page.
“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 suffering cardiac arrest, his family said.
The Pastor’s loved ones thanked the staff at Baton Rouge General Medical Center “for their incredible support and care given during this time,” the statement said.
Swaggart became famous in 1975 when, according to his Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, “his television crews were able to capture the services live and replay them on his weekly program.”
Jimmy Swaggart (born March 15, 1935, Ferriday, Louisiana, U.S.—died July 1, 2025) was an American televangelist and Gospel music performer.
He was defrocked by the Assemblies of God in 1988 after a sex scandal involving prostitutes.
Swaggart’s father was a sharecropper before becoming a Pentecostal preacher in the Assemblies of God denomination in the 1950s, and Swaggart was immersed in the church’s culture from his youth.
His cousins Jerry Lee Lewis, a rock and roll pioneer, and Mickey Gilley, a country music singer, inspired him to attempt a career in music.
However, he continued to assist with his parents’ ministry, and in 1958 he became a full-time evangelist with his own ministry.
In 1961 he was ordained by the Assemblies of God.
In 1987, he had accused fellow Televangelist Jim Bakker of immoral behavior.
It was later revealed that Swaggart had a long history with prostitution
The full statement on Facebook by his family and titled, “JIMMY SWAGGART HAS PASSED AWAY,” read:
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:7-8
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. Today was the day he has sung about for decades. 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.
For over seven decades, Brother Swaggart poured out his life preaching the gospel, singing songs of the faith, and pointing millions to the saving power of Jesus Christ and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. His voice echoed through nations, his music softened hearts, and his message never changed: Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
He was not just a preacher—he was a worshiper, a warrior, and a witness to the grace and mercy of God. He was a man whose faith was steadfast and always entered whatever door the Lord opened. And the Lord honored that faith.
Please continue to lift up Sister Frances, Donnie, Debbie, Gabriel, Jill, Jennifer, Clif, Matt, Joanna, Sam, Ryder, Abby, Lola, Harper, Navy, Harrison, Caroline and Mackenzie in your prayers.
The family would like to thank the staff, doctors and nurses at Baton Rouge General Medical Center for their incredible support and care given during this time.
