Famed televangelist Jimmy Swaggart has died aged 90. 

Swaggart’s passing comes weeks after he suffered a cardiac arrest in his Louisiana home on June 15. 

“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.” His family wrote this in a social media post following Swaggart’s death.

A legendary southern preacher, Swaggart drew millions of viewers to his televised performances as the leader behind the SonLife Broadcasting Network and pastor of the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge. 

He often preached about family values and against adultery, pornography and ‘alternative lifestyles’, before his ministry was rocked by controversy in 1988 when he was implicated in multiple prostitution scandals.

Swaggart, cousins with rock pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis, often incorporated music into his sermons, and in 1981 he was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance for his album Worship. 

Swaggart raised over $100 million for his ministry at the height of his career in the 1980s, and was also known for his rivalries with other theatrical televangelists such as Jim Bakker and Orel Roberts. 

His feud with Louisiana televangelist Marvin Gorman led to his fall from grace when he accused Gorman of having extramarital affairs, leading Gorman to hire a private detective that caught Swaggart visiting a prostitute. 

Swaggart was defrocked by the Assemblies of God ministry as a result of the scandal, and three years later he was implicated in another prostitution scandal that captured national headlines. 

Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart has passed away aged 90

Famed for his dramatic performances in front of huge crowds, Swaggart’s ministry was rocked by scandal in 1988 when he was implicated in multiple prostitution scandals

Swaggart once drew millions of viewers with his televised sermons and gospel performances, before his prostitution scandal upended his career. 

In 1988 after he was first implicated in the prostitution controversy, Swaggart delivered a famous sermon that became known as the ‘I have sinned’ speech. 

After rebuilding much of his following and continuing his sermons across the south, Swaggart was again caught with a prostitute in his car in 1991 when he was stopped for a traffic violation. 

The second prostitution shame led to many of his TV contracts to be cancelled. 

Swaggart continued his preaching career even after being defrocked by his ministry, and in 2010 he launched his 24-hour Christian TV broadcast channel, SonLife Broadcasting Network. 

Last month, Swaggart was found unresponsive in his Louisiana home by his son Donnie and grandson Gabriel, who said they took turns performing chest compressions before paramedics arrived.

‘He never regained consciousness,’ Donnie Swaggart said. 

Swaggart once drew millions of viewers with his televised sermons and gospel performances

He often preached about family values and against adultery, pornography and ‘alternative lifestyles’, before his ministry was rocked by prostitution scandals 

Following the medical emergency on June 15, his son said at the time that ‘without a miracle, his time will be short.’ 

In their message following Swaggart’s death, his family wrote: ‘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. 

‘For over seven decades, Brother Swaggart poured out his life preaching the gospel, singing songs of the faith, and pointing millions to the saving power of Jesus Christ and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. 

‘His voice echoed through nations, his music softened hearts, and his message never changed: Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

‘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.’