Jimmy Swaggart Net Worth: Bio, Age, Height, Family, Wife, and More

Jimmy Swaggart is a name that many recognize due to his powerful influence in the world of televangelism, but his life has been a mixture of success, scandal, and redemption. Born into a poor family, Swaggart would go on to become one of the most prominent televangelists of his time, amassing both a fortune and a legacy that is as controversial as it is impressive. This article will explore Swaggart’s life, career, net worth, and much more, offering an in-depth look at the man behind the televangelist image.

What is Jimmy Swaggart’s Net Worth?

As of 2025, Jimmy Swaggart’s net worth is estimated at around $20 million. Despite the numerous controversies that have marred his career, Swaggart’s financial empire has proven resilient. His wealth comes from various sources, including his long-running televangelism ministry, gospel music career, book sales, investments in real estate, and involvement in more recent ventures like cryptocurrency and NFTs.

While his reputation was severely affected by a prostitution scandal in the late 1980s, Swaggart managed to recover and rebuild his ministry, maintaining a significant following worldwide. His financial stability is a testament to his resilience in both business and ministry.

Who is Jimmy Swaggart?

Jimmy Lee Swaggart was born on March 15, 1935, in Ferriday, Louisiana. His early life was shaped by poverty, but also by the strong religious influence of his family. Swaggart’s father was a Pentecostal preacher, and his uncle was a famous fiddler, which exposed him to both religious teachings and music at a young age. He was also a relative of well-known musicians Jerry Lee Lewis and Mickey Gilley, which helped further inspire his musical pursuits.

Swaggart’s career began in the 1950s when he started preaching in rural churches across Louisiana. He married Frances Anderson, a woman he met during his Bible studies, and the couple went through financial hardships together. Despite their struggles, Swaggart continued to work in ministry, and over time, he would build a broadcasting empire that reached millions.

Quick Bio

• Full Name: Jimmy Lee Swaggart
• Date of Birth: March 15, 1935
• Age: 89 years old (as of 2025)
• Place of Birth: Ferriday, Louisiana, USA
• Profession: Televangelist, preacher, gospel singer, author
• Net Worth: $20 million (as of 2025)

Education and Early Life

Swaggart grew up in Ferriday, Louisiana, during the 1930s and 1940s, a period of financial difficulty for many families. His parents, Minnie and Willie Swaggart, were both devout Christians, and his upbringing reflected the values of hard work, faith, and resilience. Although his family struggled financially, they were rich in religious conviction.

Swaggart never attended formal schooling beyond high school. Instead, he received his education in the church, where he learned about the Bible and began developing his skills as a preacher. He was ordained as a minister in 1961 by the Assemblies of God, one of the largest Pentecostal denominations, and would go on to use his deep knowledge of scripture to build a large ministry.

Despite the lack of formal education, his commitment to Bible study and preaching helped him achieve extraordinary success in his chosen field.

Age, Height, and Weight

Swaggart is currently 89 years old. Despite his advanced age, he remains an active figure in religious broadcasting, continuing to preach and run his ministry.

• Age: 89 years old (as of 2025)
• Height: 5 feet 5 inches (170 cm)
• Weight: 166.2 pounds (76 kg)

Swaggart’s physical appearance has remained relatively unchanged over the years, and he is still involved in his ministry and public appearances, despite the challenges that come with aging.

Family and Legacy

Jimmy Swaggart’s family plays an integral role in his life and ministry. He married Frances Anderson when he was just 17 years old, and the couple had one son, Donnie Swaggart, born in 1952. Despite facing financial difficulties in their early years of marriage, Jimmy and Frances managed to raise their family with the values of faith and hard work.

Donnie Swaggart followed in his father’s footsteps and became a prominent figure in the ministry. In fact, he has often taken on a leadership role in the family’s religious endeavors. However, the Swaggart family has not been immune to controversy. In the aftermath of Jimmy Swaggart’s prostitution scandal in the late 1980s, Donnie temporarily stepped aside from his father’s ministry to distance himself from the public fallout.

Jimmy Swaggart’s legacy, despite the scandals, is one of resilience and recovery. His influence in televangelism and religious broadcasting continues to be significant, especially through his SonLife Broadcasting Network and Family Worship Center.

Career Journey

Swaggart’s career in ministry began in the 1950s when he started preaching in rural Louisiana. In 1960, he launched his career in gospel music and soon became known for his Southern Gospel style. A year later, he was ordained as a minister by the Assemblies of God, and his radio ministry began shortly after.

By the 1970s, Swaggart’s reach had expanded significantly. He launched his television ministry in 1971, broadcasting his sermons across the United States and later internationally. By the 1980s, Swaggart’s ministry was aired on over 3,000 radio stations worldwide, and his television program had a large following, making him one of the most successful televangelists in the world.

Swaggart’s rise to fame was not without its challenges. In 1988, he was involved in a prostitution scandal that damaged his reputation. As a result, the Assemblies of God expelled him, and he temporarily resigned from his ministry. However, he made a remarkable comeback by rebranding his ministry as non-denominational and continuing to broadcast his sermons through the SonLife Broadcasting Network.

Relationship and Marriage Life

Jimmy Swaggart’s marriage to Frances Anderson has been a cornerstone of his life. The couple met when they were both teenagers and married in 1952. Together, they raised a family, and Frances played a key role in supporting Jimmy’s ministry throughout their marriage.

Their son, Donnie Swaggart, was born in 1952, and he would later follow in his father’s footsteps by becoming a preacher and leading portions of the family’s ministry. Despite the challenges Swaggart faced in his personal life, including the public scandal, his relationship with his wife and son has remained strong.

Frances Swaggart has also contributed to the ministry, co-hosting several programs and working alongside her husband in the family business.

Future Plans

Although Jimmy Swaggart is now in his 80s, he remains active in his ministry and broadcasting efforts. His television programs continue to reach millions of viewers in over 104 countries, and his SonLife Broadcasting Network remains a key platform for his teachings.

Swaggart has adapted to the digital age, incorporating the internet and social media into his ministry, which allows him to continue influencing new generations of viewers. While he has faced numerous setbacks throughout his career, including the scandal and controversies, his ability to continue preaching and broadcasting suggests that he has no immediate plans to retire.

Conclusion

Jimmy Swaggart’s life story is one of extreme highs and deep lows, but through it all, his passion for ministry and his commitment to his family have remained constant. From humble beginnings to becoming one of the most influential televangelists in the world, Swaggart’s career is a testament to his resilience, faith, and determination to overcome personal and professional challenges.

Despite the scandals that have stained his reputation, Swaggart has managed to maintain a significant financial presence and continues to lead a global ministry. His story is an inspiring example of redemption, and his legacy in the world of televangelism will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come.

FAQs

1. How did Jimmy Swaggart build his wealth?

Swaggart built his wealth through his televangelism ministry, music career, book sales, and investments in real estate, stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrency. He also made substantial earnings from his long-running television programs.

2. What was the major scandal in Jimmy Swaggart’s career?

In 1988, Jimmy Swaggart was involved in a prostitution scandal that led to his expulsion from the Assemblies of God and a temporary resignation from his ministry. This event severely damaged his public reputation, though he later managed to rebuild his ministry.

3. Does Jimmy Swaggart still preach today?

Yes, Jimmy Swaggart is still active in ministry. His television broadcasts continue to reach millions of viewers around the world, and he remains the head of the SonLife Broadcasting Network.

4. How much is Jimmy Swaggart worth today?

As of 2025, Jimmy Swaggart’s net worth is estimated to be around $20 million, thanks to his successful ministry, investments, and other ventures.

5. What is the future of Jimmy Swaggart’s ministry?

Swaggart’s ministry is likely to continue as long as he is able to broadcast his programs. With the continued success of SonLife Broadcasting Network, his legacy in televangelism will likely continue for years to come.

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