New York: The Rev. Jimmy Lee Swaggart — one of the most influential and controversial televangelists in American history — has died at the age of 90. His death occurred on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at his home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, following cardiac arrest. The news was confirmed in a heartfelt statement shared on Swaggart’s official Facebook page.
Swaggart rose to fame in the 1980s as a firebrand preacher and gospel musician, captivating millions through televised sermons and crusades. He also sold millions of gospel albums, making his ministry a household name across Christian America. But his career took a dramatic turn after sex scandals surfaced in the late 1980s and ’90s, reshaping public perception and ending his dominance in religious broadcasting.
Even so, Swaggart never left the pulpit. He continued preaching and producing music through his ministry, the Family Worship Center, and the SonLife Broadcasting Network, up until his final days. His passing marks the end of a complex era in American televangelism — one built on passion, controversy, and deep-rooted faith.
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Jimmy Swaggart’s Early Life and Meteoric Rise
Born on March 15, 1935, in Ferriday, Louisiana, Jimmy Lee Swaggart was raised in a devout Pentecostal family and grew up surrounded by musical talent — his cousins were rock ‘n’ roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis and country star Mickey Gilley. Swaggart began preaching in rural churches as a teenager and soon gained a following for his emotional sermons and stirring piano performances.
In the early 1970s, he launched his own television ministry, which grew into one of the largest evangelical networks in the world by the mid-1980s. His Jimmy Swaggart Telecast aired in over 100 countries, while his music career flourished with more than 17 million gospel albums sold.
The Scandals That Shook the Faith
Swaggart’s image of righteousness was shattered in 1988, when photographs emerged of him with a sex worker at a New Orleans motel. His tearful “I have sinned” confession became one of the most infamous moments in modern religious history. He was suspended by the Assemblies of God, and his once-massive audience dwindled.
A second scandal in the early 1990s only deepened the public’s scepticism. Though he lost his official credentials and many broadcasting contracts, Swaggart never formally stepped away from ministry. He rebuilt his platform as an independent preacher and remained active through his family-run broadcasting network.
Legacy: A Complicated But Lasting Influence
Swaggart was a towering figure in the golden age of televangelism, standing alongside peers like Jim Bakker and Pat Robertson. He pioneered a media-savvy approach to evangelical outreach and changed the way millions worshipped — from church pews to television screens.
To supporters, Swaggart was a flawed but passionate messenger of God’s word. To critics, he represented the moral failings of spiritual celebrity culture. Either way, his legacy remains deeply etched into American religious history.
Even in decline, Swaggart’s ministry maintained a dedicated following, especially through SonLife Broadcasting Network (SBN), which continued airing his sermons, worship music, and faith-based programming.
Final Years and Official Announcement
In his final years, Swaggart appeared less frequently in public but continued to lead from behind the scenes. His son Donnie Swaggart and grandson Gabriel Swaggart assumed greater roles, slowly transitioning the ministry into the next generation.
The news of his passing was officially announced on July 1 via his public Facebook page:
No additional medical issues were cited beyond cardiac arrest, and funeral details have yet to be publicly released.
What’s Next for the Swaggart Ministry?
With Jimmy Swaggart’s death, leadership of the Family Worship Center and SonLife Broadcasting Network will now fall fully to Donnie and Gabriel Swaggart. Gabriel, who appeals to a younger evangelical audience, is expected to carry forward his grandfather’s legacy while adapting it to modern sensibilities.
The future of the ministry will depend on how successfully it can evolve beyond its founder — both in message and image. But there’s no denying the mark Jimmy Swaggart left on faith, media, and controversy.
Tributes Pour In From Evangelical Circles
Since Tuesday morning, tributes have flooded in from pastors, gospel musicians, and longtime followers of Swaggart’s ministry. Some remembered his rousing sermons and musical brilliance, while others acknowledged the flawed complexity of his public life.
