Jim Bakker's Real Name: James Orsen Bakker
Jim Bakker → James Orsen Bakker
Quick answer: The televangelist was known professionally as Jim Bakker. Britannica gives his name in full as James Orsen Bakker, and a Library of Congress name authority record independently lists the variant Bakker, James Orsen. An Associated Press obituary and a Reuters report published in the Guardian both use the name Jim Bakker and say he died at age 86. The AP, in an article updated October 6, 2026, said he died Monday, October 5, 2026. The Reuters report, dated October 6, 2026, independently announced the death at 86.
Real name and early life
The Associated Press says he was born in Muskegon, Michigan, and attended North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, where he met Tammy Faye; they married in 1961 and left college to start a traveling ministry. The AP does not give a calendar birth date; Britannica dates the birth to January 2, 1940, in Muskegon.
Career highlights
The Associated Press says that in 1965 the couple launched a children's show on Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network, and that he later hosted The 700 Club. It says he left CBN in 1972 and two years later formed the PTL Satellite Network, with The PTL Club as its signature show, the letters standing for "Praise the Lord." The AP says that at its mid-1980s peak the program drew 13 million nightly viewers, and that the couple also built Heritage USA, a Christian theme park and hotel in Fort Mill, South Carolina. Reuters independently says The PTL Club made him one of the most popular Christian preachers on U.S. television in the 1980s. The AP says he and his second wife, Lori Bakker, later filmed The Jim Bakker Show near Branson, Missouri, from 2003, and Reuters independently notes later taping at Morningside, near Branson.
Convictions and sentence
The Associated Press says he was indicted in 1988 for mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy after an investigation of PTL's finances, was convicted the following year, and was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison, a term later reduced to eight years. The AP says he was released on parole in 1994. Reuters independently says he was convicted in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1989, and that he spent four and a half years in prison.
Death
The Associated Press, updated October 6, 2026, said Bakker died Monday at age 86, and that the cause of death was not provided. Reuters, in an October 6, 2026, report, independently said he had died aged 86, and that the cause was not revealed. Neither report names a city of death.
Name notes for searchers
People looking up Jim Bakker, James Orsen Bakker, James Bakker, or The PTL Club are looking for the same televangelist.
FAQ
What is Jim Bakker's real name?
He was known professionally as Jim Bakker. Britannica gives the full name James Orsen Bakker, and the Library of Congress lists the variant Bakker, James Orsen.
Where was he born?
The Associated Press places the birth in Muskegon, Michigan, without a calendar date. Britannica gives January 2, 1940, in Muskegon.
When did he die?
The Associated Press, updated October 6, 2026, said he died Monday, October 5, 2026, at age 86. Reuters, on October 6, independently reported the death at 86.
What convictions are cited here?
The Associated Press reports a 1989 conviction on mail-fraud, wire-fraud, and conspiracy charges, a 45-year sentence later reduced to eight years, and parole in 1994. Reuters independently reports a 1989 conviction in Charlotte and four and a half years in prison.