Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, whose ministry was tainted by sex scandals, dies at 90

Mr Swagger’s ministry boomed until the late 1980s when he was caught with a prostitute in New Orleans.

• July 1, 2025
Jimmy Swaggart
Jimmy Swaggart (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

American televangelist and gospel singer Jimmy Swaggart, whose ministry was tainted by two separate highly publicised sex scandals involving sex workers, has died.

The news of the Grammy-nominated singer was confirmed in a post on his Facebook page Monday, two weeks after he suffered a cardiac arrest episode at his home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on June 15.

“Today, our hearts are heavy as we share that Brother Swaggart has finished his earthly race and entered into the presence of His Saviour, Jesus Christ,” the statement read. “He met his beloved saviour and entered the portals of glory. At the same time, we rejoice knowing that we will see him again one day.”

He was 90.

Mr Swagger’s ministry boomed until the late 1980s when he was caught with a prostitute in New Orleans — a scandal that led to a meme-famous tearful televised confession: “I have sinned.”

The crisis deepened in 1991 when he found himself in a second incident involving a sex worker, which ultimately sidelined him from mainstream evangelical circles.

He is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Frances Swaggart, their son Donnie, three grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

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