Jimmy Swaggart Baton Rouge LA Obituary and Death – Jimmy Lee Swaggart, the renowned Pentecostal televangelist and gospel musician, passed away at the age of 90 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Swaggart was a towering figure in American religious life, known for his passionate preaching, musical talent, and a public life marked by both tremendous influence and notable controversy.
Born on March 15, 1935, in Ferriday, Louisiana, Jimmy Swaggart was raised in a deeply religious Pentecostal family. His hometown was famous for producing musical legends, including his cousins Jerry Lee Lewis and Mickey Gilley. While Lewis gained fame in rock and roll, Swaggart dedicated his life to gospel music and ministry. Starting in the 1950s, he traveled extensively as a revivalist preacher, often accompanying himself on the piano, delivering heartfelt sermons centered on salvation.
Swaggart founded the Jimmy Swaggart Ministries in the early 1970s, establishing its headquarters in Baton Rouge. From there, he expanded his reach globally through the Jimmy Swaggart Telecast, a weekly program broadcast via cable and satellite. By the 1980s, Swaggart had become a household name, known for bringing Pentecostal preaching and gospel music into mainstream American homes.
His dynamic style combined fiery sermons with rich tenor vocals and piano performances, earning him a devoted audience. Over his career, Swaggart released dozens of gospel albums and was a staple in Christian broadcasting. However, his career was dramatically impacted by scandal. In 1988, Swaggart was caught in a highly publicized sex scandal involving a prostitute, leading to his suspension from the Assemblies of God denomination. Despite public confessions and attempts at repentance, subsequent controversies damaged his public image significantly.
Despite the scandals, Swaggart remained active in ministry, continuing to preach and broadcast from the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge alongside his wife Frances and their son Donnie. His story became a cultural touchpoint, symbolizing themes of fame, hypocrisy, downfall, and redemption. Rather than disappearing from public life, Swaggart showed resilience by rebuilding his ministry and maintaining a strong presence on the airwaves well into his later years.
Beyond preaching, Swaggart established the SonLife Broadcasting Network, a 24-hour Christian channel, and founded Jimmy Swaggart Bible College (now Jimmy Swaggart Bible College and Seminary) to train future Pentecostal ministers. His media influence endured across multiple platforms, reaching audiences worldwide.
Jimmy Swaggart is survived by his wife of more than 70 years, Frances Anderson Swaggart, their son Donnie, daughter-in-law Debbie, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Donnie Swaggart, who has long been involved in the ministry, is expected to continue leading the church and its media operations.
Swaggart’s life was marked by deep contradictions — immense religious influence paired with personal failings. He will be remembered as a man of faith and fallibility, whose musical gifts and theological contributions shaped Pentecostalism and evangelical media in America. His legacy is a complex narrative of soaring spiritual influence and human vulnerability.
A public memorial service will be held at the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, with details forthcoming from Jimmy Swaggart Ministries. The service will be broadcast live on the SonLife Broadcasting Network, allowing his global followers to pay tribute to a figure who profoundly impacted modern evangelical Christianity.
