Controversial televangelist Rev. Jimmy Swaggart has died at the age of 90 — two weeks after he was rushed to the hospital following a heart attack.
The Louisiana native, whose multimillion-dollar ministry was tarnished by his prostitution scandals, had been in critical condition ever since he went into cardiac arrest on June 14.
Swaggart Ministries spokesperson Megan Kelly confirmed his death in a statement Tuesday. A cause was not immediately shared, but he had been in poor health.
“Today, our hearts are heavy as we share that Brother Swaggart has finished his earthly race and entered into the presence of His Savior, Jesus Christ. Today was the day he has sung about for decades. He met his beloved Savior and entered the portals of glory. At the same time, we rejoice knowing that we will see him again one day,” the statement read.
The outspoken Pentecostal preacher, one of the best-known televangelists, began his television ministry in 1975 after having a radio show and a magazine. By 1983, there were more than 250 TV stations carrying his program.
He is also the founder of Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, which was worth an estimated $142 million in 1986, and started the Jimmy Swaggart Bible College. In addition to his television appearances and in-person ministry, he authored approximately 50 Christian books and earned a Grammy nomination for his music.
Swaggart’s star power as an influential TV preacher continued to rise until he and other televangelists, such as rival Jim Bakker, became embroiled in sex scandals.
Swaggart was photographed with Debra Murphee, an admitted prostitute, in New Orleans in 1988. Murphee told reporters at the time that the two did not have sex, but that he paid her to pose nude for him.
Photos of Swaggart and Murphee apparently stemmed from a rivalry with preacher Marvin Gorman, whom Swaggart accused of sexual misdeeds. Gorman had apparently hired the photographer who captured the image that doomed Swaggart’s career.
The scandal also saw Swaggart stripped of clerical authority in the Assemblies of God denomination and later forced him to become non-denominational. While he continued to preach for decades, a sizable chunk of his audience was lost.
Swaggart acknowledged his public downfall in an emotional 1988 sermon, telling parishioners, “I have sinned against you. I beg you to forgive me,” but did not mention his involvement with a prostitute.
His troubles, however, did not stop there. In 1991, Swaggart was detained by police with another prostitute. He was charged with driving on the wrong side of the road and driving an unregistered Jaguar.
The Ferriday, Louisiana, native, grew up the son of a preacher in a family full of musicians. Swaggart had two cousins who became well-known musicians: rocker Jerry Lee Lewis and country singer Mickey Gilley.
After Swaggart’s heart attack earlier this month, his son, Donnie, told his congregation at the Family Worship Center how he found his father unresponsive.
“This morning at a little after eight, Gabe and I rushed into Mother’s house. Dad had gone into cardiac arrest. He never regained consciousness. We both took turns giving him chest compressions until EMT could get there and they were, I’ve never seen so many people arrive at one time and I want to thank them,” he said.
“But they were able to get a heartbeat back. Right now he is in ICU and without a miracle, without a miracle, his time will be short.”
In addition to his son, Swaggart is survived by his wife of 70 years, three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
With reporting from the Associated Press.
