US televangelist Jim Bakker, ensnared in fraud and sex scandal, dies at 86

What happened: US televangelist Jim Bakker, who built a multimillion-dollar ministry before a sex scandal and fraud conviction, has died at 86. His wife Lori announced the death on social media. Key numbers: PTL drew 13 million viewers on 200 stations and took in $129m a year. Prosecutors said he defrauded followers of $158m. He was convicted on 24 charges in 1989 and sentenced to 45 years, later reduced. Why it matters: Bakker was a pioneer of Christian television whose fall became a symbol of televangelist excess. After prison he returned with a new show and backed Donald Trump.

US televangelist Jim Bakker, who built a multimillion-dollar ministry before a sex scandal and fraud conviction, has died at 86. His wife Lori announced the death on social media.

Bakker was a pioneer of Christian television whose fall became a symbol of televangelist excess. After prison he returned with a new show and backed Donald Trump.