Louisiana Rev. Jimmy Swaggart, who headlined the Golden Age of Televangelists in the 1980s before an adultery scandal diminished his influence, died Tuesday in a Baton Rouge hospital.
Swaggart, who was 90, never regained consciousness following a heart attack in his home June 15.
Swaggart was a powerful force during the peak of the Moral Majority’s political influence during the 1980s that helped elect presidents Ronald Regan and George Bush.
Newsweek dubbed him the “King of Honky Tonk Heaven” in 1982.
Swaggart’s TV ministry reached more than 2 million Christians worldwide during the 1980s and reportedly generated $60 million in donations during the height of his ministry, according to the publication 64 Parishes.
But Swaggart, along with some other televangelists of the era like Jim Bakker and Marvin Gorman, fell from grace after he admitted to adultery during a tearful confession to his congregation in 1988.
Swaggart was defrocked by the Assembly of God church but continued his ministry without a denomination.
Swaggart was a native of Ferriday, growing up with famous musical cousins Jerry Lee Lewis and Mickey Gilley, who preceded Swaggart in death.
Swaggart’s ministry was an electric mix of fiery preaching and gospel music. He moved seamlessly between the pulpit and piano.
Swaggart was a member of the 2025 class of the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame and will be officially inducted posthumously next fall.
He is survived by wife Frances and children including Donnie Swaggart, who took over the lead of Jimmy Swaggart Ministries as his father aged.
Just days ago Donnie Swaggart praised his father’s life and ministry.
“There’s no greater example of a good and faithful servant than my father,” he said.
More: Louisiana televangelist Jimmy Swaggart living his ‘last days,’ son Donnie Swaggart said
Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Louisiana televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, King of Honky Tonk Heaven, dies