A Preacher Who Reached the World
Rev. Jimmy Swaggart, a global Christian broadcaster and Pentecostal preacher, died on July 1 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was 90.
His ministry confirmed the news, though no further details were shared. Swaggart had been hospitalized on June 15 after a heart attack. His son, Donnie Swaggart, said at the time that his father’s condition was critical.
Swaggart rose from poverty in Ferriday, Louisiana, to preach in more than 140 countries. His voice and message drew people from across cultures and backgrounds. At the peak of his influence in the 1980s, his daily broadcasts and ministry operations brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations.
From Humble Beginnings to Televised Fame
Born in 1935, Jimmy Lee Swaggart was raised in a Pentecostal home. He married Frances Anderson at age 17. Together, they began a ministry life that would span more than 70 years.
Swaggart started by preaching in small churches and revival tents across the South. In 1975, he launched his first TV broadcast. It grew rapidly, and soon, millions were tuning in every week to hear him preach.
Known for his fiery delivery, Swaggart combined music and message in a way few others could. He played gospel piano, cried during sermons, and often called for repentance in dramatic ways.
Scandals That Shook His Ministry
In 1987, Swaggart’s image took a major hit. He was photographed entering a motel with a sex worker. The next year, he tearfully confessed his sin before thousands of followers.
“I have sinned against you, my Lord,” he said. His confession made headlines. Some praised his honesty; others questioned his sincerity.
The Assemblies of God suspended him from preaching for one year. Swaggart returned to the pulpit after just a few months, against the group’s orders. As a result, they removed him from their organization.
In 1991, another scandal followed. Police in California stopped Swaggart for erratic driving. A sex worker was in the car with him. When asked about the incident, he told his church, “The Lord told me it’s flat none of your business.”
This response shocked many and caused further decline in his public support.
A Family of Music and Ministry
Swaggart came from a family known for talent and showmanship. He was cousins with rock and roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis and country star Mickey Gilley. As boys, they learned to play piano and often visited music clubs in secret.
Despite their different paths, each cousin left a major mark on American culture—one in gospel, one in rock, and one in country.
Swaggart’s wife, Frances, played a key role in managing the ministry. Their son, Donnie, continues to preach today. The Swaggart family has remained central to the Family Worship Center, based in Baton Rouge.
A Lasting but Complex Legacy
Swaggart’s preaching style—bold, emotional, and direct—changed Christian broadcasting. He brought revivalism to the screen and into people’s homes. Many credit him with helping shape modern Pentecostal media.
Yet his legacy is not without conflict. His scandals caused division. Some followers left; others stood by him. He became a symbol of both spiritual zeal and human weakness.
In later years, Swaggart seemed more reflective. “God is patient with us,” he said during a 2014 service. “Thank God for that.”
Swaggart is survived by his wife Frances, his son Donnie, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His ministry continues through his family and their broadcast efforts.
