Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart has died at the age of 90, weeks after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in Louisiana on June 15.

Swaggart became well-known in the American evangelical community for his leadership role in the SonLife Broadcasting Network and as the pastor of the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge. His dynamic preaching style, musical abilities, and broad impact helped him gain widespread recognition, making him one of the most prominent religious figures in the country.

As a relative of rock and roll icon Jerry Lee Lewis, Swaggart integrated gospel music into his sermons and produced multiple music recordings during his time in ministry. His musical efforts even earned him a Grammy Award nomination for Best Gospel Performance in 1981 with his album called Worship, solidifying his influence in both religious and musical circles.

During the 1980s, Swaggart experienced the peak of his career, drawing large crowds to his events and collecting over $100 million annually for his ministry. His fervent sermons and televised presentations captured the attention of millions worldwide. Additionally, he was involved in well-publicized competitions with fellow televangelists such as Jim Bakker and Oral Roberts.

However, Swaggart’s legacy was deeply marred by scandal. In 1988, he became embroiled in a prostitution controversy after he accused fellow Louisiana preacher Marvin Gorman of infidelity. In retaliation, Gorman hired a private investigator who caught Swaggart with a prostitute, triggering a national scandal. The Assemblies of God ultimately defrocked him.

Despite a public confession and a temporary step back from preaching, Swaggart was implicated in another prostitution scandal just three years later, further tarnishing his image and altering the trajectory of his once-dominant ministry.

In his later years, Swaggart continued preaching from the Family Worship Center and broadcasting his services, retaining a devoted base of followers even as his public profile diminished.

He is remembered as a complex and controversial figure, celebrated for his powerful oratory and gospel music, yet shadowed by personal failings that shaped the final chapters of his life.