Who Is Jim Bakker? Age, Biography and Wiki
Jim Bakker is an American televangelist born on January 2, 1940, making him 85 years old in 2025. Known for his dynamic charisma and controversial public persona, Bakker rose to fame in the 1980s with his television show "The PTL Club." Over the decades, he has faced numerous challenges and controversies, but he remains a significant figure in the world of televangelism. His life story is a complex tapestry of success, scandal, and resilience.
| Occupation | Religious Leader |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 2, 1940 |
| Age | 85 Years |
| Birth Place | Muskegon, Michigan, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Jim Bakker's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
As of 2025, Jim Bakker stands at approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall. His weight fluctuates but is generally around 180 pounds (82 kg). Bakker has maintained a relatively healthy lifestyle, focusing on wellness and nutrition, especially as he ages. His body measurements include a chest size of 42 inches, a waist size of 34 inches, and a shoe size of 10 US.
In an October 2017 video, Bakker said that "God will punish those" who ridicule him; he has said that Hurricane Harvey was a judgment of God, and he blamed Hurricane Matthew on then-President Barack Obama. Bakker predicted that if then-President Donald Trump was impeached, Christians would begin a Second American Civil War.
He compared the 2017 Washington train derailment to the sinking of the RMS Titanic and stated the Amtrak train derailment was a warning from God.
He also claimed that he predicted the September 11 attacks of 2001, stating that he "saw 9/11 in 1999 before New Year's Eve" and that there would "be terrorism" and bombings in New York City and Washington, D.C. A few days after the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, he stated that "God came to [him] in a dream...
and he was wearing camouflage, a hunting vest and had an AR-15 strapped to his back" and that God supported Trump's plan to arm teachers.
Following the death of Billy Graham on February 21, 2018, Bakker attended Graham's funeral and paid his respects, stating that Graham was the greatest preacher since Jesus, and also remarking that Graham had visited him in prison.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Jim Bakker has had a tumultuous romantic history. He was married to Tammy Faye Bakker from 1961 until their divorce in 1992. After his divorce, Bakker faced public scrutiny but eventually found love again. In the years leading up to 2025, he has been in a relationship with his current partner, Lori Bakker. The couple shares a strong bond both personally and professionally, running "The Jim Bakker Show" together.
James Orsen Bakker (born January 2, 1940) is an American televangelist and convicted felon. Between 1974 and 1987, Bakker hosted the television program The PTL Club and its cable television platform, the PTL Satellite Network, with his then wife, Tammy Faye. He also developed Heritage USA, a now-defunct Christian theme park in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Jim Bakker's net worth is estimated to be around $500,000. While this figure might sound modest for a televangelist, Bakker has faced significant financial setbacks, including bankruptcy in the 1990s. Despite this, he continues to generate income through his television show, book sales, and various business ventures that focus on survival preparation products.
In 1979, Bakker and PTL came under investigation by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for allegedly misusing funds raised on the air. The FCC report was finalized in 1982 and found that Bakker had raised $350,000 that he told viewers would go towards funding overseas missions but that was actually used to pay for part of Heritage USA.
The report also found that the Bakkers used PTL funds for personal expenses. FCC commissioners voted four to three to drop the investigation, after which they allowed Bakker to sell the only TV station that he owned, therefore bypassing future FCC oversight. The FCC forwarded its report to the U.S.
Department of Justice, which declined to press charges, citing insufficient evidence. Bakker used the controversy to raise more funds from his audience, branding the investigation a "witch-hunt" and asking viewers to "give the Devil a black eye".
Career, Business and Investments
Bakker's career spans several decades in the Christian broadcasting industry. Initially gaining notoriety with the PTL (Praise the Lord) network, his career hit a dramatic downturn due to scandals. After serving time in prison for fraud, Bakker reinvented himself, establishing a new ministry focused on personal preparedness and self-sufficiency. His current ventures include selling survival food kits and hosting religious programming on his network.
In 1966, Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker began working at Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) in Portsmouth, Virginia, which had an audience in the low thousands at the time. The Bakkers contributed to the network's growth, hosting a children's variety show called Come On Over that employed comic routines with puppets.
Due to the success of Come On Over, Robertson made Bakker the host of a new prime-time talk show, The 700 Club, which gradually became CBN's flagship program. The Bakkers left CBN in 1973 and, soon after, joined with Paul and Jan Crouch to help co-found the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) in California.
However, this partnership lasted only eight months until a falling-out between Jim Bakker and Paul Crouch caused the Bakkers to eventually leave the new network.
Social Network
Jim Bakker remains active on social media, utilizing platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with his audience. His social media presence allows him to share messages of hope, religious teachings, and updates on his ministry. As of 2025, he has approximately 200,000 followers on Facebook and 100,000 on Instagram, where he often shares glimpses of his personal life and the work he does.
Education
Bakker attended North Central University, where he studied music and theology. His education laid the foundation for his career in ministry and television. Although he never completed a traditional degree, his experiences and extensive work in broadcasting have provided him with unique insights into media and public engagement.
Bakker attended North Central University, a Minneapolis Bible college affiliated with the Assemblies of God, where he met fellow student Tammy Faye LaValley in 1960. Bakker worked at a restaurant in the Young-Quinlan department store in Minneapolis; Tammy Faye worked at the Three Sisters, a nearby boutique. Despite already having a fiancee in Muskegon, Jim began courting Tammy Faye.
