Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, Scandal-Plagued Preacher Who Rose To Fame In The 1980s, Dies At 90

Jimmy Swaggart, the once-prominent Pentecostal televangelist whose global ministry was severely impacted by prostitution scandals in the 1980s and 1990s, has died at the age of 90.

His death was announced Tuesday via a post on his public Facebook page. A cause of death was not provided as of Tuesday early afternoon.

Prayers up for the Swaggart family today as they mourn the passing of their patriarch, Pastor Jimmy Swaggart.

Few voices have echoed across the world like his has.

Thankful for the hope we have in Jesus. pic.twitter.com/Wr1luNxUCG

— Pastor Travis Johnson (@BasedPastorTrav) July 1, 2025

Swaggart rose to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s through a charismatic preaching style broadcast to millions of viewers, according to The Associated Press. At its peak, his ministry generated tens of millions of dollars annually. His television programs, gospel music performances, and Bible college helped cement his status among the country’s most influential televangelists. (RELATED: Legendary Gospel Singer Huey P. Williams Dead At 80)

Born in Ferriday, Louisiana, Swaggart was part of a musically gifted family. He played gospel piano with the same fervor as his cousins Jerry Lee Lewis, a rock musician, and Mickey Gilley, a country singer. He said he felt called to ministry at age 8 and began preaching full-time after working in oil fields.

Swaggart’s career was impacted in 1988 when he was photographed with a prostitute in a New Orleans hotel. The incident followed similar scandals involving other televangelists during the era. In a tearful sermon broadcast to his followers, Swaggart declared, “I have sinned against you,” though he did not directly mention the prostitute.

Following the scandal, the Assemblies of God moved to defrock Swaggart for refusing to complete a two-year rehabilitation program that included a one-year preaching hiatus. Swaggart ultimately resigned from the denomination, citing the need to preserve his ministry and associated Bible college.

Further scandal emerged in 1991, when Swaggart was detained by California police while driving with another prostitute. He was cited for driving violations, including operating an unregistered vehicle. The woman later claimed Swaggart attempted to hide pornographic magazines during the stop.

Swaggart continued to preach in the decades that followed but never regained the broad national influence he once held.