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Beloved American Evangelist Passes Away

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Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, one of the most recognizable and controversial figures in American evangelical history, has died at the age of 90. His family confirmed the news on July 1, 2025, through an official statement posted to Facebook and Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.

Swaggart suffered a cardiac arrest at his Baton Rouge home on June 15 and never regained consciousness. He remained hospitalized in critical condition until his passing.

“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,” a statement read on Facebook. “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.”

“He was not just a preacher—he was a worshiper, a warrior, and a witness to the grace and mercy of God. He was a man whose faith was steadfast and always entered whatever door the Lord opened. And the Lord honored that faith,” the statement read.

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For millions of Americans, Jimmy Swaggart was a household name throughout the 1970s and ’80s. His fiery sermons, impassioned altar calls, and gospel music performances helped grow a global ministry that once generated an estimated $140 million a year.

At the height of his influence, Swaggart’s broadcasts reached countless homes through his Family Worship Center and SonLife Broadcasting Network. A cousin of rock ‘n’ roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis, Swaggart shared a musical gift but pursued fame through the pulpit instead of the piano bar.

His Pentecostal preaching style resonated deeply with believers craving bold proclamations of repentance, salvation, and morality. He was known for publicly rebuking what he viewed as the moral decay of modern culture—and even fellow pastors who, in his eyes, strayed from Scripture.

However, Swaggart’s legacy is deeply entwined with scandal. In 1988, he stunned viewers with a tearful televised confession following a prostitution scandal, declaring, “I have sinned against You, my Lord.” A second similar incident in 1991 led to his removal from the Assemblies of God, the denomination he had long represented.

Despite being defrocked, Swaggart refused to step away from ministry. He rebuilt his platform as an independent evangelist, maintaining a strong base of support and continuing to preach weekly into his later years. His ministry, headquartered in Baton Rouge, remained a family affair, with his wife Frances, son Donnie, and multiple grandchildren helping lead services and media programs.

Swaggart was married to Frances for over 70 years. Together, they had one son, Donnie Swaggart, who continues to preach and lead the ministry. The Swaggart family includes several grandchildren and great-grandchildren who remain active in the church and its outreach.