What is Jim Bakker Net Worth?
| Net Worth: | $800,000 |
|---|---|
| Source of Wealth: | Televangelist and Minister |
| Date of Birth: | January 2nd, 1940 |
| Country of Origin: | United States |
| Last Updated: | 2024 |
Jim Bakker Net Worth: Jim Bakker is an American televangelist and minister with an estimated net worth of $800 thousand. He is popularly known for hosting The PTL Club in the early 70s to late 80s.
He has not received any awards in his career despite his popularity.
Jim Bakker is known for his controversial life as a televangelist. He has been linked to fraud and sex scandals. Jim Bakker currently owes the Inner Income Service roughly $6 million.
Early Life
American televangelist Јіm Bakkker was born in Muskegon, Michigan, on January 2nd, 1940. His parents were Raleigh Bakker and Furnia Lynette Irwin. Jim studied in Minnesota at the North Central University, a Bible college associated with the Assemblies of God.
It was in the same college he met Tammy Faye LaValley, a fellow student who he later married on April 1st, 1961, a year after they met. The couple was blessed with two children—Tammy and Jay Bakker.
Jim and Tammy left college to become evangelists but later got separated in 1992. In 1998, Jim Bakker got married and started a new life with Lori Graham.
Career
Jim Bakker began his televangelism career as a host in the 700 Club show. He established the Trinity Broadcasting Network with Paul and Jan Crouch after he left Robertson’s ministry.
Jim began a late-night talk show called The PTL Club in 1974 and started the PTL Satellite Network in the same year. He hosted The PTL Club from 1974 to 1987. Jim is also the author of a few books.
Jim lived a controversial lifestyle and has been linked to fraud and sex scandals. These scandals led to his dismissal from the Assemblies of God in 1987. He spent money from the ministry on his extravagant lifestyle.
He was once accused of making sexual advances at the church secretary, Jessica Hahn, and was sentenced to 45 years in prison for diverting ministry funds and other charges totaling up to 24. He was also asked to pay a fine of $500,000.
He has been seen making controversial statements about the September 11th attacks, the 9/11 attacks, and about a Second World War breaking out if Donald Trump Won.
He was involved in an affair with Lori Graham while he was married to Tammy Faye. After his divorce, he married Lori and began The Jim Bakker Show with her in 2003.
Jim Bakker net worth is estimated to be $800 thousand as of 2024.
Career Highlights
- 1966 – Jim and Tammy started working at Pat Robertson’s Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) in Portsmouth, Virginia. CBN had low audience.
- 1972 – Jim and Tammy left CBN
- 1973 – Jim and Tammy joined Paul and Jan Crouch to co-found the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) in California.
- 1974 – Bakker founded the PTL Satellite Network.
- 1987 – Bakker was dismissed as an Assemblies of God minister
- 1990 – A biographic movie, Fall from Grace was released. Kevin Spacey starred as Bakker showing his rise and fall.
- 2019 – An ABC 20/20 two-hour special was aired on January 18. It was titled Unfaithfully Yours and it portrayed the PTL scandal.
Personal Life
Jim Bakker’s personal life is filled with scandals like fraud and adultery. After his union with Tammy Faye in 1961, Jim met Lori Beth Graham, a singer in his ministry, in 1970, and a sexual relationship began.
Tammy discovered this affair in 1987 and finally divorced Jim in 1992 after she found out the relationship was still on and off. Tammy had two children—Tammy and Jay—with Jim Baker before their divorce. Jim continued his relationship with Lori after his divorce and married her in 1998. They have five adopted children.
Jim and Lori have written a book together titled I was Wrong. This book contains details of their relationship.
Bakker is also known for fraud. He has served a jail sentence and paid a $500,000 fine for fraud. He also diverted ministry funds to his private lifestyle filled with private planes and mansions and reportedly owes the Inner Income Service the sum of $6 million.
Awards & Achievements
Jim Bakker hasn’t received any awards despite his years in ministry.
Jim Bakker Net Worth
Jim Bakker net worth is estimated to be $800 thousand. This net worth is linked to his work in ministry and televangelism. Jim is also an author of some books, and this must have made him quite some money.
Despite his fame and reputation, Jim currently owes the Inner Income Service the sum of $6 million and has fallen into several tax crimes and fraud.
Notable Jim Bakker’s Quotes
Life Lessons to Learn From Jim Bakker’s Success
1. Live a Reputable Life
Jim may be a televangelist, but he has been tied to so many scandals which have tarnished his name. If Jim lived right, he would have been an exemplary figure in the life of others. Live right and stay true to yourself. Live a life worthy of the reputation.
2. Be faithful to your Partners
Marriage is a union where two become one. An Unfaithful partner causes so much heartbreak to their significant other. Imagine how Tammy must have felt when she found out about Jim’s affair. When you choose to go into a union with someone you claim to love, stay faithful.
3. Turn a New Leaf
Jim Baker may have served jail time and paid a fine for his crimes, but he still seems to be tied to other controversies. When you make mistakes, you should learn from them and try to start life on a new slate.
Frequently Asked Questions – Jim Bakker Net Worth
What does Jim Bakker do now?
Jim Bakker is still a televangelist. He founded the Morningside Church in Blue Eye, Missouri, and reestablished the PTL ministry. He hosts the Jim Bakker Show, where he preaches about the end time and the second coming of Christ.
How much did Jim Baker make from the ministry?
Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye made $1 million weekly from viewers of their ministry. The money was meant to be used to expand their theme park and The PTL Show.
Why did Jim Bakker go to prison?
Jim Bakker received a jail sentence for fraud. He was also asked to pay a $500,000 fine.
How much money did Jim Bakker steal from PTL?
Jim Bakker defrauded his members out of $158 million. He offered them promises of lifetime vacations and spent close to $3.7 million to fund his extravagant lifestyle. It is reported that Jim Bakker had an air-conditioned dog house fleet of cars from brands like Rolls Royce and Mercedes, amongst others.
Final Thoughts
Jim Bakker is a controversial personality, having faced fraud and sex scandals. His controversial life has earned him a tag as a false prophet by Ed Brayton. He has, however, continued to work as a televangelist and hosts the Jim Baker Show.
As of 2024, Jim Bakker net worth is estimated to be $800 thousand.