Jim Bakker became one of the most recognizable American televangelists of his generation. His rise through Christian television, the creation of the PTL network and the later scandal that brought down his ministry made him a major figure in American religious broadcasting.
Behind that public story was a complicated family life. Bakker was married twice and had children from both marriages. His first marriage to Tammy Faye Bakker became closely connected with the PTL ministry, while his second marriage to Lori Bakker marked a new chapter after his release from prison.
Bakker died at the age of 86, with Lori announcing his passing and saying that he had “finished his race with faith.” His family remained an important part of his life and ministry until his final years.
His First Wife Tammy Faye
Jim Bakker’s first wife was Tammy Faye Bakker, who became a major television personality in her own right.
The couple married in 1961 and eventually built the PTL ministry together. Their work expanded into a large Christian broadcasting operation and the Heritage USA Christian theme park.
Tammy Faye was known for her distinctive appearance, emotional television presence and willingness to discuss subjects that were often considered controversial within evangelical circles.
The couple’s marriage lasted for decades, but it eventually collapsed following the major legal and financial problems surrounding Jim’s ministry.
Tammy Faye filed for divorce in 1992. She later married Roe Messner and continued her own public career before dying from cancer in 2007.
Jim and Tammy Faye’s Children
Jim and Tammy Faye had two biological children together.
Their daughter is Tammy Sue Bakker Chapman, who grew up around her parents’ television ministry. As a child, she appeared on The PTL Club and was familiar with the world of Christian broadcasting from an early age.
As an adult, Tammy Sue continued working in entertainment and ministry-related projects. She also became involved with her father’s later television program.
Their son was Jamie Charles Bakker, better known as Jay Bakker.
Jay eventually developed a very different approach to Christianity from his father. He became an author and preacher and founded Revolution Church. His views were considerably more progressive, including a more inclusive approach to LGBTQ+ people.
His relationship with Jim was complicated at times because of their theological differences.
His Second Wife Lori Bakker
After his divorce from Tammy Faye and his release from prison, Jim Bakker began another chapter of his personal life.
He married Lori Beth Graham, later known as Lori Bakker, in 1998.
Their relationship became an important part of Jim’s life after his return to television. In 2003, the couple launched The Jim Bakker Show, giving Bakker another platform for discussing Christianity, prophecy and current events.
Lori was closely involved with the ministry and remained beside Jim throughout his later years.
She was also the person who announced his death and shared the family’s message following his passing.
Their Adopted Children
Jim and Lori expanded their family through adoption.
In 2002, the couple adopted five children. Their growing family became part of their life during the period when Jim was rebuilding his ministry and establishing his new television program.
One of their adopted children is their son Ricky.
The adoption of five children meant that Jim’s family eventually included seven children in total when his two biological children from his first marriage are included.
The large family represented a major difference from the early years of his public career, when his marriage to Tammy Faye and their two children were frequently connected with the PTL ministry.
A Complicated Family History
Jim Bakker’s family story cannot easily be separated from his career.
His first marriage became part of the PTL empire, while his second marriage became connected with his return to Christian television after prison.
His children also developed their own paths. Tammy Sue remained involved with aspects of her father’s broadcasting world, while Jay became known for a more progressive form of evangelical Christianity.
This created an interesting contrast between generations of the Bakker family.
The PTL Scandal Changed Everything
Bakker’s family life changed dramatically after the collapse of his ministry.
In 1989, he was convicted of mail fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy connected to financial wrongdoing surrounding PTL. He was sentenced to prison and served nearly five years.
The scandal placed enormous pressure on his marriage to Tammy Faye. Their divorce followed in 1992.
Tammy Faye continued her public life after their separation, while Jim eventually rebuilt his personal and professional life with Lori.
His Later Ministry With Lori
After marrying Lori, Bakker returned to broadcasting.
The Jim Bakker Show became the center of his later ministry. His message increasingly focused on biblical prophecy, disasters, political developments and preparing for difficult future circumstances.
Lori remained a visible part of the program and supported Jim as he continued his work.
Their marriage lasted until Jim’s death, making Lori his longest-lasting partner during the later part of his life.
Jim Bakker’s Family Legacy
Jim Bakker’s family reflects several very different chapters of his life.
His marriage to Tammy Faye was connected to the spectacular rise and eventual collapse of PTL. Their children grew up in the middle of that public world.
His marriage to Lori represented a second beginning after prison and personal upheaval. Together, they built a new family through adoption and returned to television.
His children also created their own identities. Tammy Sue remained connected to her father’s broadcasting work, while Jay became known for challenging some of the traditional views associated with his father’s ministry.
Remembering Jim Bakker
Jim Bakker died at 86 after a life marked by extraordinary success, controversy, legal trouble, family changes and a second chance at television ministry.
He leaves behind two biological children, five adopted children and a family history closely connected to American religious broadcasting.
His two marriages also tell an important part of his story. Tammy Faye was beside him during the rise of PTL, while Lori supported him during his later ministry and remained his wife until his death.
For better or worse, family was never far from the center of Jim Bakker’s remarkable and often controversial life.
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