Pentecostal televangelist Jimmy Swaggart dies at 90

Pentecostal televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, whose multi-million-dollar ministry diminished following prostitution scandals, died Tuesday. He was 90. 

Swaggart's death was announced on his public Facebook page.

"Today, our hearts are heavy as we share that Brother Swaggart has finished his earthly race and entered into the presence of His Savior, Jesus Christ," the post reads.

"For over seven decades, Brother Swaggart poured out his life preaching the gospel, singing songs of the faith, and pointing millions to the saving power of Jesus Christ and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. His voice echoed through nations, his music softened hearts, and his message never changed: Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

Swaggart had a cardiac arrest just over two weeks ago, according to News 15, a local TV station in Louisiana where Swaggert started his ministry.

He was a Louisiana native and cousin to both rock-'n'-roller Jerry Lee Lewis and country singer Mickey Gilley, the Associated Press reported.

Swaggart was caught on camera with a prostitute in New Orleans in 1988 and was with another prostitute in 1991, when police in California detained and charged him with driving on the wrong side of the road and driving an unregistered Jaguar.

Later in 1988, after the first prostitution scandal, Swaggart announced his resignation from the Assemblies of God denomination. His announcement came shortly after the church said it was defrocking him for rejecting punishment it had ordered for “moral failure.” The church denomination had wanted Swaggart to undergo a two-year rehabilitation program, including not preaching for a year.

At the time, Swaggart said that he knew dismissal was inevitable but had no choice other than to separate from the church to save his ministry and Bible college.

Swaggart preached and worked part-time in oil fields until he was 23, when he moved to full-time ministry. He preached, played piano, and sang gospel songs at Assemblies of God revivals and camp meetings. From there, he started a radio show, magazine, and then moved into television.

His sermons had reached millions of TV viewers, and Jimmy Swaggart Ministries became a business that made an estimated $142 million in 1986.

Swaggart's Baton Rouge complex still includes a worship center and broadcasting and recording facilities. He was the senior pastor of Family Worship Center until his death. Swaggart is survived by his wife, son, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.