Jimmy Lee Swaggart was a prominent American Pentecostal televangelist and gospel music artist who became one of the most recognized figures in American religious broadcasting.
He was the founder of Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, a global evangelical organization that owns and operates the SonLife Broadcasting Network (SBN), which airs Christian programming worldwide. In addition to his media outreach, Swaggart also established the Jimmy Swaggart Bible College, aimed at training future ministers and church leaders.
Jimmy Swaggart Cause of Death
On June 15, 2025, news broke that renowned televangelist and gospel singer Jimmy Swaggart had been rushed to the hospital and admitted to the intensive care unit after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest at his home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The incident prompted an outpouring of concern and prayers from friends, family, and followers around the world, many of whom had been touched by his decades-long ministry.
Shortly after his hospitalization, his son, Donnie Swaggart, released a heartfelt public statement regarding his father’s condition. Speaking with both honesty and emotion, he shared, “Without a miracle, his time will be short,” acknowledging the seriousness of the situation while still holding onto hope.
Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, Jimmy Swaggart passed away peacefully on July 1, 2025, in a Baton Rouge hospital. He was 90 years old. His death marked the end of an era in American evangelicalism and gospel music, closing the final chapter of a life that had spanned nine decades of preaching, singing, and spiritual leadership.
Swaggart’s passing was met with deep sorrow and remembrance from those who admired him for his powerful sermons, his soulful gospel music, and his unwavering dedication to spreading the Christian faith. His legacy continues through the generations of his family who remain active in ministry, and through the countless lives he impacted over the course of his remarkable life.
Who was Jimmy Swaggart
Born on March 15, 1935, in Ferriday, Louisiana, Jimmy was raised in a deeply religious, working-class family. His father, Willie Leon Swaggart—affectionately known as “Sun” or “Son”—was a sharecropper, skilled fiddle player, and Pentecostal preacher. His mother, Minnie Bell Swaggart (née Herron), was a homemaker and the daughter of William Herron, also a sharecropper. This humble and faith-filled upbringing helped shape Swaggart’s path into ministry and music.
In 1981, Jimmy Swaggart was honored with a Grammy Award nomination for Best Gospel Performance, Traditional, for his inspirational album Worship. This recognition reflected his deep impact on gospel music and his ability to connect with audiences through both his preaching and his powerful musical performances.
The family of Jimmy Swaggart
Swaggart shared his life with his devoted wife, Frances Swaggart (née Anderson), whom he married on October 10, 1952. Their marriage spanned decades, lasting from their early years together until his passing. Frances stood beside him through the many seasons of his life and ministry, playing an active role in the work of Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
The couple had one son, Donnie Swaggart, born on October 18, 1954. Donnie was named in memory of Jimmy’s brother, who tragically died in infancy—a loss that deeply affected the family. Continuing the family’s strong spiritual legacy, Donnie followed in his father’s footsteps and became a preacher, dedicating his life to the ministry as well.
Jimmy Swaggart was also a grandfather to three grandchildren and a great-grandfather to several great-grandchildren. Among his grandchildren is Gabriel Swaggart, who, like his father and grandfather, has also taken up the calling to preach. Gabriel now plays a central role in the family’s ministry, representing the fourth generation of Swaggarts to devote themselves to spreading the Christian message.
The Swaggart family legacy in ministry is a powerful testament to their enduring faith and commitment, spanning generations and touching countless lives around the world.