Jimmy Swaggart, an influential televangelist whose legacy was tainted by two highly publicized sex scandals, has died. He was 90.
Swaggart, also a bestselling Christian book author and a Grammy-nominated gospel music artist, died after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in Baton Rouge, La. on June 15, local ABC affiliate WBRZ reported.
His death was confirmed Tuesday morning in a statement shared on his official Facebook page.
“Today, our hearts are heavy as we share that Brother Swaggart has finished his earthly race and entered into the presence of His Savior, Jesus Christ,” the statement read in part. “He met his beloved Savior and entered the portals of glory. At the same time, we rejoice knowing that we will see him again one day.”
Swaggart’s once-massive ministry unraveled in the late 1980s after he was caught with a prostitute in New Orleans — a scandal that led to a meme-famous tearful televised confession: “I have sinned.”
A second incident involving another sex worker in 1991 deepened the fallout and sidelined him from mainstream evangelical circles.
In 2004, Swaggart said during a televised service that he would kill any gay man who looked at him romantically
“And I’m going to be blunt and plain: If one ever looks at me like that, I’m going to kill him and tell God he died,” Swaggart said, drawing applause from the congregation.
Swaggart is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Frances Swaggart, their son Donnie, three grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
