TV owner and involved with prostitution: Dies most famous shepherd in the USA

Pastor reached a global audience of 200 million people. In 1958, he began to devote himself to his full -time religion. At the height of his career, in the 1980s, the televangelist stadiums and raised millions in donations. He founded the “Jimmy Swaggart Ministries”, a group of churches owned by the gospel radio and television group “Sonlife Broadcasting Network”.

Had his reputation stained by a prostitution scandal. In 1988, photos of him with a prostitute were sent to The New York Times by Marvin Gorman, a rival preacher. During a televised confession, he admitted the case and begged for forgiveness. By refusing to accept punishment, he was expelled from the National Organization of the Assemblies of God.

Jimmy criticized Catholics and Jews. In the 1980s, he was part of a Christian front that intended to adapt US public policies to Bible values. He remained married to his wife Frances even during the scandals. Together they had Donnie, a son who played a central role in the churches.

He made homophobic comment on television. In 2004, by presenting a TV show, he said that if a gay man approached him, he would “kill him and tell God that he died.” After much criticism, he said that episode was a joke.

The family would like to thank the employees, doctors and nurses at the General Medical Center Baton Rouge for their incredible support and care provided during this period
Note released by the pastor’s family

It became a world famous celebrity. Pentecostal took preaching to Africa and Latin America, where he further expanded the number of faithful and consolidated himself as a relevant personality around the world.