Jim Bakker, disgraced US televangelist, dies at 86

Jim Bakker, once one of America's most prominent televangelists, passed away at 86, marking the end of a life marked by spectacular rise and dramatic fall. Bakker achieved widespread fame during the 1980s as the host of 'The PTL Club,' an evangelical television program that became a flagship broadcast for charismatic Christianity in the United States.

At the height of his influence, Bakker commanded a substantial following and built a significant media and religious empire. However, his prominence came to an abrupt end following a major scandal that engulfed the televangelist and fundamentally altered the trajectory of his career and public standing.

Bakker's legacy remains complex, reflecting both his influence in evangelical broadcasting and the controversies that defined his later years. His life story has been cited in discussions about accountability in religious institutions and the personal conduct expected of public religious figures.

Details surrounding his death have not been immediately disclosed.