Jimmy Swaggart: How Old Was The Iconic Televangelist When He Passed? A Definitive Look At His 90-Year Legacy

The question of "how old is Jimmy Swaggart" now carries a profound finality. As of today, December 10, 2025, the answer is that the iconic and often controversial televangelist is no longer with us, having passed away at the age of 90. Jimmy Swaggart, a figure whose influence stretched from the revival tents of the 1950s to a global television ministry, concluded his extraordinary life on July 1, 2025.

This news, confirmed by the Swaggart family and ministry, marks the end of an era in American evangelicalism. His passing, after a brief period of declining health, has prompted a global reflection on his complex legacy—one defined by powerful preaching, gospel music, and sensational public scandals that forever altered the landscape of televised ministry.

Complete Biography and Profile: The Life of a Controversial Evangelist

Jimmy Lee Swaggart was a foundational figure in the Charismatic movement, known for his passionate, tearful sermons and highly successful gospel music career. His life was a dramatic saga of rags-to-riches success, devastating public failure, and an unwavering commitment to continue his ministry until his final days.

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• Full Name: Jimmy Lee Swaggart
• Date of Birth: March 15, 1935
• Place of Birth: Ferriday, Louisiana, U.S.
• Date of Death: July 1, 2025
• Age at Death: 90 years old
• Spouse: Frances Swaggart (married 1952)
• Children: Donnie Swaggart
• Grandchildren: Gabriel Swaggart, Matthew Swaggart
• Occupation: Evangelist, Pastor, Author, Gospel Singer, Televangelist
• Years Active: 1955–2025
• Notable Affiliations: Assemblies of God (defrocked in 1988)
• Ministry Headquarters: Family Worship Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Born into a musical family, Swaggart was a cousin to rock and roll pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis and country music star Mickey Gilley. He began his ministry at a young age, feeling called to preach when he was only eight years old.

The Legacy of Jimmy Swaggart's Ministry: From Revival Tent to Global Telecast

Swaggart's ministry began humbly, traveling the South with his wife, Frances, and son, Donnie, conducting tent revivals. His powerful charisma and musical talent quickly propelled him to prominence. By the 1970s, he had fully embraced the burgeoning medium of television, which would cement his status as a household name.

The Rise of the Jimmy Swaggart Telecast

The Jimmy Swaggart Telecast, which began airing in 1971, became one of the most-watched religious programs in the world, reaching millions of homes weekly. His sermons were characterized by passionate delivery, emotional appeals, and a focus on the cross of Jesus Christ. The ministry expanded rapidly, leading to the establishment of the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which serves as the hub for his global operations.

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The ministry's operations were vast, including a Bible college (Jimmy Swaggart Bible College), a vast music publishing arm, and global missionary work. For decades, the ministry was a financial powerhouse, funding its operations through viewer donations and the sale of Swaggart's gospel albums, which were highly popular. This success made him one of the most recognizable and influential figures of the "Golden Age" of televangelism. His theological focus often centered on a strong emphasis on the Holy Spirit and a critical, often controversial, stance against other denominations, including his well-documented criticism of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Scandals That Shook the Evangelical World: The 'I Have Sinned' Confession

No discussion of Jimmy Swaggart's life is complete without addressing the series of scandals that dramatically derailed his career and led to his defrocking. These events, which occurred in the late 1980s, became a cultural touchstone for media scrutiny of televangelists and remain a significant part of his public identity.

The 1988 Prostitution Controversy

In 1988, Swaggart was implicated in a prostitution scandal, which forced a public confession. On February 21, 1988, he delivered a televised address known as his "I have sinned" speech. In one of the most dramatic moments in broadcast history, a tearful Swaggart confessed to unspecified sins before his congregation and a global audience. While he did not detail the nature of his transgressions, the context was widely understood.

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The Assemblies of God, his denomination, initially suspended him for three months. However, when Swaggart returned to the pulpit sooner than recommended, the denomination defrocked him, revoking his ministerial credentials. Despite this, Swaggart refused to step away from the pulpit entirely, choosing to continue his ministry independently.

The Second Scandal and Enduring Ministry

The controversy deepened in 1991 when Swaggart was again found in the company of a prostitute, this time pulled over by a California Highway Patrol officer. This second scandal led to further public outcry, but Swaggart, having already been defrocked, continued his ministry through the Family Worship Center, maintaining a loyal following who believed in his message of redemption and the power of the cross. The scandals, while damaging, did not completely dissolve the ministry, which continued to operate on a large scale, albeit with a smaller audience than its peak.

Final Days and Enduring Family Ministry: The Transition of Leadership

In the final years of his life, Swaggart remained active in his ministry, though his health began to decline, leading to several official health updates from the family in the months leading up to his passing in July 2025.

Health Updates and Passing

Official updates released by the Swaggart family, notably in June 2025, indicated a serious and irreversible decline in his health. The family conveyed a message of faith and acceptance, preparing their followers for the inevitable. Jimmy Swaggart died peacefully on July 1, 2025, at the age of 90, surrounded by his family in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The Swaggart Legacy Continues

The continuation of the ministry was a key focus in the period following his death. The work of the Family Worship Center and its associated media outlets did not cease. Leadership had already been transitioning to the next generation, ensuring the ministry's survival.

• Donnie Swaggart: Jimmy's son, Donnie Swaggart, has long been a central figure in the ministry, preaching regularly at the Family Worship Center and on the telecast.
• Gabriel Swaggart: Jimmy's grandson, Gabriel Swaggart, has taken a prominent role in modernizing the ministry's outreach, particularly through the youth-focused Crossfire ministry and digital platforms. Gabriel’s sermons and music have introduced the Swaggart name to a new generation.

Jimmy Swaggart’s 90 years were a testament to the enduring power of faith, the destructive nature of public scandal, and the resilience of a ministry built on a passionate message of salvation. His life, marked by both soaring success and profound failure, will forever be a complex chapter in the history of American religion. The ministry he founded continues today, carrying forward his vision under the leadership of his family.