Controversial televangelist Jimmy Swaggart (90) dies

Swaggart, a passionate television evangelist with a presence in over 140 countries, amassed a fortune from his work.

Jimmy Swaggart Worldwide Ministries reached the peak of its popularity in the mid-1980s before Swaggart was embroiled in a sex scandal and fell from grace.

In 1987, he was photographed entering a motel with a woman and engaging in what she described as ‘pornographic acts’.

After this, he delivered a speech in front of 7,000 congregants where he stated ‘I have sinned’ and begged his wife for forgiveness.

He was suspended from preaching for a time and never regained the same popularity and influence.

Swaggart was again caught up in a scandal in 1991 after being pulled over by police for erratic driving, and was found to be with a sex worker.

Despite the controversies, he continued preaching, launching the SonLife Broadcasting Network (SBN), a 24-hour Christian channel in 2010.