Jim Bakker, televangelist who built PTL empire, dies at 86

Bakker rose to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s as the host of the PTL Club, a religious television program that at its peak reached millions of viewers daily across North America. The show became known for its elaborate production values and prosperity gospel messaging, combining entertainment with evangelical preaching.

At the height of his influence, Bakker built a sprawling religious entertainment complex in North Carolina called Heritage USA, which attracted thousands of visitors annually. The PTL organization reported revenues in the hundreds of millions of dollars, making it one of the largest televangelism operations in the United States.

Bakker's career took a dramatic turn in the late 1980s when he faced serious legal troubles. In 1989, he was convicted of fraud and conspiracy for misleading followers about how donations to his ministry would be used. He was sentenced to 45 years in prison, though the sentence was later reduced. He was eventually released after serving approximately eight years.

Following his release from prison, Bakker attempted to rebuild his ministry through online platforms and cable television. He continued broadcasting religious content until his recent death, though he never regained the widespread prominence he had enjoyed during the PTL Club's heyday.

Bakker's life and career became emblematic of both the rise and controversies surrounding American televangelism in the late twentieth century, influencing public perception of televised religious broadcasting for decades.