This week in Christian history: Isaac Watts born, Tammy Faye Bakker dies, papal infallibility
Tammy Faye Bakker dies – July 20, 2007
This week marks the anniversary of when Tammy Faye Bakker, who, along with her ex-husband Jim Bakker, oversaw a major televangelist empire during the 1980s, died of cancer at age 65.
The Bakkers had become prominent public figures during the 1970s and 1980s, via their television ministry The PTL Club, as well as their 2,300-acre theme park Heritage USA.
However, Jim Bakker had a series of financial and sex scandals and was sent to prison in 1989. The two divorced in 1992, with Tammy marrying Roe Messner the following year.
Mel White, a former writer for the Rev. Jerry Falwell who later became a gay rights activist, once referred to Tammy as “Dr. Joyce Brothers, Martha Stewart and Carol Burnett, all rolled into one.”
“Her fans were people who grew up in a very fundamentalist tradition, not being able to wear makeup, or dance, or go out in public,” said White, as quoted by The Washington Post.
“So here comes Tammy, with her dyed hair and makeup, her ebullient spirit and outspoken ways with both men and women. ... She talked about sex, and flirted with Jimmy. She took on the caricature of an obedient wife, and blasted it.”
