What is Jim Bakker's Net Worth?
Jim Bakker is a well-known American televangelist, minister, and television personality, with a net worth of $500 thousand. He gained prominence by hosting the Christian television program "The PTL Club" alongside his then-wife Tammy Faye Bakker. At their peak, Jim and Tammy Faye were receiving $1 million per week in viewer contributions, intended to support their ministry and expand their theme park. However, they lived lavishly, purchasing luxury cars, jewelry, private planes, and mansions. IRS reports showed that between 1980 and 1983, $1.3 million was diverted to their personal use, equivalent to $4 million today. Further investigations revealed additional misappropriation of funds in the late 80s, including hush money paid to Jessica Hahn, whom Bakker allegedly raped. He was indicted on multiple counts of fraud and sentenced to 45 years in federal prison and fined $500 thousand.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born in 1940 in Muskegon, Michigan to Raleigh and Furnia, Jim Bakker attended North Central University in Minneapolis, where he met Tammy Faye LaValley. The two married in 1961 and pursued careers as itinerant evangelists. In 1966, they joined Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network, hosting the children's program "Come On Over." They were subsequently given the primetime talk show "The 700 Club." After leaving in 1972, the couple cofounded California's Trinity Broadcasting Network with Paul and Jan Crouch, although a dispute ended this partnership.
The PTL Club
In 1976, after moving to Charlotte, North Carolina, Bakker and his wife launched "The PTL Club," a Christian talk show on the PTL Satellite Network. They built a PTL headquarters known as Heritage Village and developed the Heritage USA theme park in Fort Mill, South Carolina, which became one of America’s most popular theme parks.
PTL Criminal Investigations and Charges
In 1979, the FCC began investigating Bakker and PTL for misusing funds. By 1982, they discovered that $350,000 intended for overseas missions had been used for Bakker's theme park. Both the FCC and IRS found further misuse of PTL funds for personal expenses. Bakker leveraged these controversies to solicit more funds from his followers.
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The biggest scandal broke in 1987 when it was revealed that Bakker and John Wesley Fletcher had drugged and raped church secretary Jessica Hahn, paying her nearly $300,000 in PTL hush money. Bakker resigned and named Rev. Jerry Falwell as his successor. After a lengthy grand jury probe, Bakker was convicted on multiple counts of mail and wire fraud and conspiracy. Although his initial 45-year sentence was reduced to eight years, he served less than five.
Return to Televangelism
In 2003, Bakker returned to the spotlight with "The Jim Bakker Show," aired from Branson, Missouri. On the show, he denounced his former prosperity theology in favor of apocalypticism and survivalism. He also established Morningside Church in Blue Eye, Missouri, reviving the PTL ministry.
Statements and Conspiracies
Bakker has made several controversial claims over the years, suggesting, for example, that Hurricane Harvey was divine retribution and that Barack Obama caused Hurricane Matthew. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he falsely promoted colloidal silver as a cure.
Career as an Author
Bakker has authored several books, beginning with "Move That Mountain" in 1976. His works include "Eight Keys to Success" (1980), "I Was Wrong," "Prosperity and the Coming Apocalypse," "The Refuge: The Joy of Christian Community in a Torn-Apart World," and "Time Has Come: How to Prepare Now for Epic Events Ahead."
Personal Life
Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker had two children, Tammy Sue and Jamie Charles. The couple divorced in 1992. In 1998, Bakker married Lori Beth Graham, and the couple adopted five children in 2002.
