Jim bakker gay
The scandals that brought down the Bakkers, once among US's most famous televangelists
An encore presentation of this "20/20" report will wind TONIGHT, Friday, Dec. 20, at 9 p.m. ET on ABC
Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker were among the most famous televangelists in America, living a life of luxury with multiple houses, expensive cars and more noun than God, when their empire all came crashing down amid sex and financial scandals.
But in the years following the demise of their ministry, the Bakkers didn't let a prison sentence, the loss of their massively popular multimillion-dollar TV network, the closure of their "Christian version of Disneyland" theme park, financial ruin, a divorce and being the butt of many "Saturday Night Live" jokes keep them down - or away from the spotlight.
'Divinely UNFAITHFUL' - the 2-hour 20/20 event - Tonight at 9/8c on ABCSex. Religion. Money. The scandal captivated the nation - new interviews, details and a new picture of Jim & Tammy Faye Bakker - 'Divinely UNFAITHFUL' - Tonight at 9/8c on ABC
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The trials and resilience of Tammy Faye Bakker, one of America’s most famous televangelists
Tammy Faye Bakker lived her life in front of television cameras. Starting from a modest children’s show featuring handmade puppets and barely disguised voices, she and her husband, Jim Bakker, eventually created a Christian-themed television broadcast modeled after secular late-night king Johnny Carson.
“She made Christianity look fun,” said actress Kristin Chenoweth, who is developing a Broadway show about Tammy Faye.
With Tammy singing and Jim hosting, the Bakkers built a religious television empire around their daily talk show PTL Club (“Praise the Lord") and a Christian theme park called Heritage USA -- until it all collapsed amid two scandals.
Admirers say she was a resilient woman who also battled prescription drug addiction and multiple bouts of cancer. Her husband cheated on her and went to federal prison. Her second husband was sent to prison, too. Her fans says she never lost her faith in God; Bakker even appeared on national television to say so hours before losing her
Jim Bakker
fine toupees and Rolex watches. |
Jim got snagged funneling $, in hush money to virginal church secretary Jessica Hahn, in order to cover up their adulterous tryst. Suddenly the Bakkers became pariahs. All of their friends deserted them. Even fellow Assemblies of God minister Jimmy Swaggart took some unnecessary potshots, just for fun and just to be a dick. Swaggart went on CNN and told Larry King that Jim was a "cancer in the body of Christ."
Bakker's rival and business competitor Jerry Falwell was called in
HIV+ gay minister relives interview with Tammy Fay Bakker in modern film 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye'
LOS ANGELES -- Rev. Steve Pieters recently turned 69 years old -- a milestone for anyone, but even more so for a man who was diagnosed with GRID - what would become known as AIDS back in
What makes Steve's story even more unique is that Steve was a practicing minister.
In , three years into his HIV diagnosis and after having a near-death experience, Steve was invited to appear on the then Praise The Lord Network, otherwise known as PTL, which was run by Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker.
"Tammy Faye decided that she wanted to be the first televangelist to interview a gay man with AIDS," Pieters shared with On The Red Carpet's Karl Schmid for an exclusive interview with Plus Life.
Steve's interview is now recreated in a new film starring Jessica Chastain and Andrew Garfield called "The Eyes of Tammy Faye," which is released in theaters tomorrow. The film aims to show Tammy Faye Bakker was not the villain the media portrayed her to be.
"Jessica Chas