Jimmy Swaggart dies at 90 after lengthy health struggles
- Jimmy Swaggart passed away at 90 after being hospitalized for a heart attack.
- He was a highly influential televangelist known for his gospel music and televised sermons in the 1980s.
- Despite his initial success, his legacy was marred by prostitution scandals that led to significant declines in his ministry.
In the United States, Jimmy Swaggart, a prominent televangelist and influential religious figure, passed away on July 1, 2025, at the age of 90 following an extended hospital stay. He had been in critical condition after suffering a heart attack on June 14, 2025. Swaggart, who began his ministry in 1955, rose to fame in the 1980s, becoming one of the country's top-rated TV preachers with a large following, thanks to his dynamic preaching style and gospel music performances. However, his ministry faced severe challenges due to scandals involving prostitution, which significantly tarnished his reputation and reduced his congregation size dramatically. The controversies surrounding Swaggart began in 1987 when he was linked to a prostitution scandal, which was highlighted by a tearful televised apology where he admitted to having sinned but did not specify the details of his transgressions. Despite his efforts to revive his ministry, including founding the Jimmy Swaggart Bible College and working to build a media empire, he struggled to regain the moral authority he had lost. Over the years, he also faced law enforcement issues and further scandal involving another incident with a prostitute. These events led to his dismissal from the Assemblies of God and resulted in a significant decline in his viewership and donations. Despite these challenges, Swaggart remained active in his ministry until his health declined. He continued to preach from his Family Worship Center, and his family announced his passing, expressing their grief and faith in a reunion after death. Swaggart is survived by his wife, three grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. His passing marks the end of an era for a complex figure who had an immense impact on televangelism in America, both for his preaching and his controversies. As the country reflects on his life, many remember both his contributions to religious media and the moral failings that overshadowed his legacy. His ability to captivate audiences through television and radio had made him a significant figure in American evangelicalism, but the scandals and their repercussions serve as a poignant reminder of the fragility of public trust and the severe consequences of moral failings in leadership roles.