As one of the most talked-about figures, Jim Bakker has built a significant fortune. Our team analyzed the latest data to provide a clear picture of their income.

What Is Jim Bakker's Net Worth?

It was later proven that Bakker stole additional millions in the late '80s to fund his lifestyle. He also was later alleged to have paid off a woman he allegedly raped,Jessica Hahn, with ministry funds. The PTL Club's fundraising eventually came under suspicion, and Jim was later indicted on 15 counts of wire fraud, eight counts of mail fraud, and one count of conspiracy. He was found guilty of all counts and sentenced to 45 years in federal prison with a fine of $500 thousand.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

In 1966, Jim and Tammy Faye started working atPat Robertson'sChristian Broadcasting Network in Portsmouth, Virginia. The pair significantly contributed to the floundering network's growth, hosting a children's variety program called "Come On Over." Due to this success, Bakker was appointed the host of a new primetime talk show, "The 700 Club." After leaving the network in 1972, Jim and Tammy Faye partnered with Paul andJan Crouchto cofound California's Trinity Broadcasting Network. However, a falling-out between Bakker and Crouch curtailed the partnership after eight months.

James Orsen Bakker was born on January 2, 1940, in Muskegon, Michigan. He is the son of Raleigh Bakker and Furnia Irwin. As a young adult, he attended North Central University in Minneapolis, a private Christian college affiliated with the Assemblies of God. There, he met fellow student and future wife Tammy Faye LaValley. The two married in 1961 and subsequently left college to become nomadic evangelists.

Jim and Tammy Faye started living a lavish life replete with luxury cars, jewelry, private planes, and mansions. Years later, an IRS report would show that $1.3 million worth of ministry funds between 1980 and 1983 alone were set aside for Jim and Tammy Faye's personal use. That's around $4 million in today's dollars.

Following their exit from Trinity Broadcasting Network, Jim and Tammy Faye moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, where they debuted their own Christian talk show, "The PTL Club," in 1976. The show was broadcast on Bakker's PTL Satellite Network, which also aired other religious programs throughout the country. Over the decade, Jim built a PTL headquarters called Heritage Village. Meanwhile, he and Tammy Faye continued to expand their ministry, building the Heritage USA theme park in Fort Mill, South Carolina. The theme park became one of the most successful in the United States at the time.

(Photo by Leif Skoogfors/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)

In 1979, Bakker and PTL were dealt a major blow when they came under investigation by the FCC for misusing funds raised on air. By 1982, it was found that Jim had raised around $350,000 that was supposed to go toward funding overseas missions, but that was actually used to fund his theme park. The FCC, and later the IRS, also found that PTL funds were being used for the Bakkers' personal expenses. To exploit the situation, Jim claimed he was being unfairly persecuted and used the controversy to raise more funds for his cause.

Jim Bakker is an American televangelist, minister, and television personality who has a net worth of $50 thousand. Jim Bakker is known for hosting the Christian television program "The PTL Club" with his then-wifeTammy Faye Bakker. At the peak of their power, Jim and Tammy Faye were bringing in $1 million every week in viewer contributions to their ministry. The proceeds were supposed to help expand their theme park and the PTL's mission.

PTL Criminal Investigations and Charges

Ultimately, Jim Bakker's financial journey is a testament to their success.

Disclaimer: All net worth figures are estimates based on public data.