July 2, 2025 — Renowned American televangelist and gospel music legend, Jimmy Swaggart, has passed away at the age of 90 after a brief illness, his family announced Tuesday via his verified Instagram page.
A towering figure in evangelical circles, Swaggart leaves behind a complex legacy—marked by decades of powerful ministry, global reach, and scandal-driven controversy.
“Today, Brother Swaggart has finished his earthly race and entered the presence of His Savior,” the family said in an emotional statement. “The day he preached and sang about for decades has finally come.”
A Life Devoted to the Gospel
Born March 15, 1935, in Ferriday, Louisiana, Swaggart grew up in a poor but music-loving family. His roots in gospel music began early, often singing alongside his famous cousins—rock-and-roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis and country singer Mickey Gilley.
He preached his first sermon in his early 20s after hearing what he described as the unmistakable voice of God at age 8. Swaggart’s ministry began modestly but quickly expanded into radio, print, and eventually television, where his fiery Pentecostal sermons reached millions of households across the world.
“Jesus Christ and Him crucified” became the unchanging message of his life’s work.
Music, Ministry & Global Reach
For over 70 years, Jimmy Swaggart:
- Preached globally televised sermons
- Released dozens of gospel albums
- Founded the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Built a ministry empire that once earned over $140 million annually by the mid-1980s
His mix of impassioned preaching, heartfelt piano-playing, and traditional Pentecostal doctrine gained him a massive following and loyal support base in America and beyond.
A Scandal That Shook the Church
Swaggart’s rise came to a halt in 1988 when he was photographed at a New Orleans motel with a sex worker, Debra Murphree—a scandal that erupted after a bitter rivalry with fellow preacher Marvin Gorman.
Swaggart’s tearful televised confession—“I have sinned against you”—remains one of the most memorable moments in American televangelism history.
He resigned from the Assemblies of God after the church attempted to impose a rehabilitation plan, which he rejected.
Further controversy followed in 1991, when he was detained by police in California with another prostitute. Though his influence waned, he never left the pulpit.
Redemption, Legacy, and a Lasting Voice
In his later years, Swaggart:
- Continued preaching alongside his son Donnie Swaggart
- Maintained global online broadcasts through Jimmy Swaggart Ministries
- Released a joint gospel album with cousin Jerry Lee Lewis in 2022
- Made rare public appearances, including singing Amazing Grace at the 2005 funeral of Louisiana political figure Fox McKeithen
Though largely removed from public controversy in his final decades, Swaggart occasionally drew headlines—including a 2004 incident where he made violent remarks about homosexuality before issuing an apology.
A Complicated Legacy
Jimmy Swaggart remains a polarizing figure in the history of American Christianity. For many, he was a flawed but powerful preacher who led countless souls to Christ. For others, his ministry symbolized the dangers of unchecked celebrity in the church.
Regardless of where one stands, Swaggart’s influence on gospel music, televised evangelism, and modern Pentecostalism is undeniable.
He is survived by his wife Frances, son Donnie, and a generation of believers shaped by his sermons and songs.
“His voice echoed through nations, his message never changed, and his legacy lives on in hearts across the world,” his family said.
May he rest in peace.
