Jimmy Swaggart dies at 90: Televangelist's sex scandal that toppled his ministry
But his journey wasn't without controversy. In 1987, Swaggart was caught up in a scandal involving a prostitute in New Orleans. Though he never confessed to the details, he made a tearful televised apology that became widely known for the line, 'I have sinned.'
A few years later, he was stopped by police in California with another suspected prostitute in his car. He also once joked on television about harming gay men. That remark drew heavy backlash. Swaggart later said it was a joke and not meant to offend anyone.
Jimmy Swaggart was not only known for his fiery sermons, but also for publicly criticising fellow preachers caught in sex scandals - a move that sparked bitter feuds.
According to The Associated Press, in 1988, one of those rivals, Marvin Gorman, hired a private investigator who photographed Swaggart with a prostitute in New Orleans.
Soon after, Swaggart appeared on national television, weeping as he declared, 'I have sinned against you' and begged forgiveness, the report added.
In 1991, Swaggart was caught again. This time, by California police, with another suspected prostitute, ABC reported. The scandals devastated Swaggart's once-massive ministry. Swaggart later reportedly paid $1.8 million to Gorman to settle a defamation lawsuit over earlier accusations.
His health had declined in recent weeks. In mid-June, his son Donnie Swaggart told their church that only a 'miracle' could save him.
Even with scandals behind him, Jimmy Swaggart remained a powerful figure in American Christian broadcasting. His voice, music and message reached millions, even as his legacy remained complicated. A lifetime of preaching
Swaggart was born on March 15, 1935, in Ferriday, Louisiana. He stepped into full-time ministry in 1955 and never looked back. He later founded Jimmy Swaggart Ministries and served as pastor of the Family Worship Centre in Baton Rouge.
At the peak of his career in the mid-1980s, his sermons reached over two million homes every week. According to his ministry's website, he spent more time preaching on television than any other evangelist in American history.
His passionate preaching and gospel music made him a household name across the US. FAQs: Q1. How old was Jimmy Swaggart when he died?
Jimmy Swaggart was 90 years old. Q2. What ministry did Jimmy Swaggart lead?
He founded and led Jimmy Swaggart Ministries in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Q3. What was Jimmy Swaggart known for?
Jimmy Swaggart was known for his long-running televised sermons and gospel preaching.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
42 minutes ago
- Mint
Two Chinese nationals charged in efforts to recruit spies in US military for Beijing
The United States has charged two Chinese nationals Yuance Chen, 38, and Liren 'Ryan' Lai, 39, accused of trying to recruit spies for Beijing, including actions such as photographing a naval base and coordinating a cash dead-drop. They were arrested for allegedly acting on behalf of China without registering as foreign agents with the Justice Department, in accordance with the law. The lawsuit, brought in a US district court in San Francisco and revealed publicly on Monday, represents the most recent effort by the Justice Department to pursue what authorities describe as ongoing attempts by the Chinese government to covertly gather information on US military strength, a tactic dramatically exposed two years prior when China launched a spy balloon that American forces eventually downed off the South Carolina coastline. While proclaiming the case, Attorney General Pam Bondi said, "This case underscores the Chinese government's sustained and aggressive effort to infiltrate our military and undermine our national security from within. The Justice Department will not stand by while hostile nations embed spies in our country – we will expose foreign operatives, hold their agents to account, and protect the American people from covert threats to our national security.' Chen came to the US on a visa in 2015 and then got recognised as a lawful permanent resident, while Liren resides in China but came to the US not regularly, comprising this past spring as part of an attempt to oversee clandestine espionage operations for China's Ministry of State Security or MSS. According to an affidavit submitted by the FBI in relation to the investigation, agents suspect that Lai had been grooming Chen to become an intelligence asset for China beginning as early as mid-2021. Their operations, as described by the FBI, included coordinating on a dead-drop of at least $10,000 in cash to another individual reportedly acting under the direction of the Ministry of State Security (MSS). They also carried out, and coordinated, reconnaissance of a US Navy recruiting center in California and a naval installation in Washington state, activities that involved Chen allegedly capturing images, which authorities believe were later sent to Chinese intelligence officials. Investigators allege that Lai and Chen further conspired to enlist US Navy personnel as informants for China. At one point, Chen reportedly collected personal details, including names, hometowns, and program affiliations, of recent Navy recruits. A number of those listed had China noted as their place of origin, and officials suspect that this data was communicated to Chinese intelligence, according to the FBI affidavit. It was not known if they had lawyers. A Chinese embassy spokesperson in Washington did not comment as well.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
70% dip in Indians held at US border since Trump's return
1 2 3 Ahmedabad:The number of Indians caught crossing illegally into the United States in the first five months of 2025 fell dramatically by 70% from last year, following the return of Donald Trump to the US presidency. Yet, even as the route becomes more perilous, 10,382 Indians including at least 30 unaccompanied minors — many from Gujarat — were caught trying to cross the border between Jan and May. The journey is harder, the risks higher, yet the desperation to chase the American dream remains just as fierce. The sharp drop coincides with the Trump administration's renewed crackdown on illegal immigration, which allegedly disrupted long-standing smuggling networks that cater to hopeful migrants from Gujarat. Data released by US Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) shows a dramatic reversal in border encounters: In early 2024 under the Biden administration, 34,535 Indians had been apprehended during the same five-month stretch. This year, the daily average has dropped to around 69 Indians. Many of these syndicates paused their operations starting late 2024, anticipating Trump's return to power. "The moment it became clear Trump would likely win again, routes started drying up," a source connected to a Gujarat-based human smuggling ring told TOI. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Confirmed - This is the deadliest snake in the world Novelodge Undo "People still want to go, but smugglers have either scaled back or raised costs, and the fear of stricter deportation is real." You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad The broader impact is also visible in the USCBP's overall data, which shows that the number of illegal immigrants (across all nationalities) apprehended dropped sharply over the same five-month period. It fell from 81,492 in Jan to 28,617 in Feb, 29,021 in March, 29,218 in April, and 29,502 in May. Yet for many Indians, especially from Gujarat, the dream of a better life across the border remains irresistible, and often fatal. On May 9, a boat carrying illegal migrants capsized near Del Mar, California, killing 14-year-old Prince and 10-year-old Mahi. Their parents, Brijesh and Sangita Patel, survived the wreck with grievous injuries. Officials confirmed that among the 10,382 Indians detained at the border this year, at least 30 were unaccompanied minors who were abandoned by adult companions during the perilous journey. In some cases, agents said, smugglers encouraged families to separate in hopes that minors would be treated more leniently under US immigration rules. The deaths of Prince and Mahi, however, are not isolated. At least nine Indian nationals are confirmed to have died while trying to cross the US border since Jan 2025. These include four individuals from Dingucha in Gandhinagar, another four from a single family in Vasai-Dabhla village of Mehsana, and one man from Kalol. Gujarat, in particular, continues to be one of the main sources of irregular migration from India, said officials, adding: "Over the past decade, networks of agents have established long and risky overland routes through Central America, exploiting gaps in border control and the aspirations of families seeking opportunity abroad." Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
What is racketeering? Jury reaches partial verdict in Diddy trial
NEW YORK (AP) — The jury in Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial said Tuesday that it has reached a verdict on four of five counts against the hip-hop mogul. But the partial decision remained under wraps after they were told to keep deliberating because they were stuck on the top charge, racketeering conspiracy. Sean 'Diddy' Combs, second from left, watches from the defense table as Judge Arun Subramanian speaks to the jury in Manhattan federal court, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, in New York.(Elizabeth Williams via AP) Prosecutors, Combs' defense team and Judge Arun Subramanian reasoned that after just two days of deliberations, it was too soon to give up on reaching a verdict on all counts. So rather than taking a partial verdict, Subramanian told the jury to continue weighing the remaining charge. Deliberations will continue Wednesday. The developments came late Tuesday afternoon, when the jury sent a note saying it was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the racketeering conspiracy charge because there were jurors with 'unpersuadable views' on both sides. After hearing about the note, Combs appeared morose as his lawyers explained to him what was happening, at one point solemnly reading a piece of paper that attorney Marc Agnifilo handed to him. The hip-hop mogul 's mother and several of his children returned to the courtroom. After the jury came in for instructions and then exited the room, a subdued Combs sat in his chair for a few minutes. As he stood to leave, he faced his family and supporters, blew a kiss and tapped his heart, as he frequently has done at the start and end of each day. Then he paused before his mother and exchanged a few words, telling her, 'Love you' and 'I'll be all right.' Marshals then led him from the room. Jurors are weighing charges that Combs used his fame, wealth and violence to force two girlfriends into drug-fueled sex marathons with male sex workers known as 'freak-offs' or 'hotel nights.' He has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers contend prosecutors are trying to criminalize Combs' swinger lifestyle and that, if anything, his conduct amounted to domestic violence, not federal felonies. Combs, 55, could face 15 years in prison to life behind bars if he is convicted of all charges. Racketeering conspiracy Racketeering conspiracy — count 1 on the jury's verdict sheet — is the most complicated charge because it requires the jury to decide not only whether he ran a 'racketeering enterprise,' but also whether he was involved in committing some or all of various types of offenses, such as kidnapping and arson. The charge falls under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, best known for being used in organized crime and drug cartel cases. Earlier Tuesday, the jury asked to review critical testimony from one of the prosecution's most important witnesses: the hip-hop mogul's former longtime girlfriend Cassie Ventura, the R&B singer born Casandra Ventura. The panel of eight men and four women asked for Cassie's account of Combs beating, kicking and dragging her at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016 — an assault captured on now-infamous security camera footage. They also asked to see Cassie's testimony about when she said Combs accused her of taking drugs from him and kicked her off their yacht at the Cannes Film Festival in France in 2013. On their way back to the U.S., she said, he threatened to release explicit videos of her having sex. In addition, the jury asked for Cassie and stripper Daniel Phillip's testimony about her jumping into his lap at a New York City hotel after. Phillip testified that he suspected Combs had been slapping and slamming her around an adjacent room. 'Her whole entire body was shaking, like she was terrified,' said Phillip, who was at the hotel for a sexual encounter with Cassie sometime between 2012 and 2014. Phillip testified that he told her she was in real danger. Cassie, he said, 'basically tried to convince me that it was OK: 'It's OK. I'm fine, I'll be OK.'" Tuesday's court session began with the lawyers and judge considering the jury's request late Monday for clarification about what qualifies as drug distribution, an aspect of the racketeering conspiracy charge. Subramanian ultimately reminded jurors of instructions he'd already given on that part of the case. On Monday, the panel deliberated over five hours. Barely an hour into the closed-door discussion, the foreperson sent a note complaining that there was one juror 'who we are concerned cannot follow your Honor's instructions." The judge responded to that first note by reminding jurors of their duties to deliberate and their obligation to follow his instructions on the law. At the trial, Combs chose not to testify as his lawyers built their arguments for acquittal mostly through lengthy cross-examinations of dozens of prosecution witnesses.
