The Rev. Jimmy Swaggart, a pioneering televangelist who built a global media empire and became one of the most recognizable television personalities of his time, has died. He was 90.

The announcement of Swaggart’s passing was made today on his ministry’s official social media channels. For decades, he was a fixture on television screens, renowned for his energetic preaching style and his successful career in gospel music, which saw him sell millions of albums and earn a Grammy nomination.

A Multimedia Empire

At his peak in the 1980s, Jimmy Swaggart Ministries was a multimedia powerhouse. His weekly telecast reached millions of viewers, and his ministry grew to include the Family Worship Center church, a Bible college, and a global media outreach. His impassioned, piano-thumping performances of gospel classics also connected him to his famous musical cousins, rock ‘n’ roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis and country star Mickey Gilley.

Public Controversy and Later Years

In the late 1980s, Swaggart’s career was significantly impacted by a highly publicized personal scandal. The controversy led to his temporary removal from his ministerial duties and a famous, tearful televised apology to his followers.

Despite the setback, Swaggart continued to lead his ministry and preach to a dedicated following through the SonLife Broadcasting Network. He leaves behind a complex legacy as one of televangelism’s most influential figures, remembered for both his vast accomplishments and the public controversies of his later career.