he once-mighty televangelist Jimmy Swaggart has died at age 90 after suffering a cardiac arrest and never regaining consciousness, ending one of the most controversial and resilient careers in American religious broadcasting.
At a Glance
- Jimmy Swaggart passed away on July 1, 2025, at age 90.
- The announcement came via his ministry’s Facebook page citing his “finished earthly race.”
- He suffered cardiac arrest at home on June 15 and remained unconscious.
- Swaggart rose to fame as a gospel singer and TV preacher with global audiences.
- His empire collapsed after sex scandals but he continued preaching for decades.
Ministry and Media Reach
Swaggart launched his full-time ministry in the 1950s and rose to global prominence in the 1980s through “The Jimmy Swaggart Telecast” and the SonLife Broadcasting Network. His blend of Southern gospel and firebrand preaching drew massive viewership across the U.S. and abroad. By mid-decade, he was one of America’s most influential Christian figures, selling millions of albums and building a media empire anchored in Baton Rouge.
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His ministry never fully recovered from public scandal, but Swaggart persisted—broadcasting sermons, recording gospel albums, and delivering sermons from his Family Worship Center well into his 80s.
Final Weeks and Death
Swaggart was rushed to a Louisiana hospital in critical condition on June 15 after suffering cardiac arrest at his home. According to reports, his son Donnie and grandson performed CPR until emergency personnel arrived. He never regained consciousness. On July 1, the ministry posted an announcement stating he had “finished his earthly race” and entered into the presence of his Savior.
His passing ends a final chapter of family and faith-bound vigil that lasted more than two weeks.
Legacy and Controversy
Swaggart’s legacy was shaped as much by scandal as salvation. In 1988, he was discovered with a prostitute and made a now-infamous tearful confession to his followers. A second incident in 1991 led to his permanent defrocking by the Assemblies of God. Despite public disgrace, he re-established his ministry outside denominational oversight and retained a loyal, if diminished, base.
Swaggart authored over 50 religious books and released dozens of gospel albums. Even after scandal, he remained a fixture in evangelical broadcasting, outlasting peers like Jim Bakker and Oral Roberts in public relevance.
What Comes After
Jimmy Swaggart’s death brings to a close one of the most controversial careers in televangelism—a story of ambition, disgrace, and relentless return. Some will remember his soul-stirring sermons and gospel hymns. Others will recall how sex, money, and power clashed with public morality.
With his passing, a once-dominant chapter in American Christianity ends. But the broadcast networks, musical archives, and church he built will likely remain—testament to a man who never stopped preaching, no matter how many times he fell.
