What Tammy Faye And Jim Bakker's Kids Are Doing Today
Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker were two of the United States' most famous televangelists in the 70's and 80's, known for building a multi-million dollar empire which they lost following a number of sex and financial scandals. The couple built their own Christian ministry, a television show on a Christian broadcasting network, and even a theme park called Heritage USA, as per Biography. In the mid-70s, Tammy and Jim weren't content to continue broadcasting on someone else's network and created their own, the PTL (Praise the Lord) Satellite Network. Their show involved asking viewers to send in money in exchange for the possibility of achieving a similar luxurious lifestyle.
Despite their success, life off-camera slowly unraveled for Tammy and Jim, according to ABC News. For starters, it came out that Tammy was being treated for drug dependency, while Jim was accused of sexual assault. He was also rumored to have engaged in a number of same-sex relationships. The scandals led to the couple losing money as they attempted to doctor their public image. By the late-80s, the government had started investigating Tammy and Jim's financial assets, which led to hefty indictments and a criminal trial. Jim was sentenced to 45 years in prison, although served just under five years. During all of these ups and downs, the couple also raised their two children: Tammy Sue Bakker-Chapman and Jamie "Jay" Charles Bakker. How did Tammy Sue and Jay survive their parents' scandals and where are they today?
Tammy Sue Bakker-Chapman was not immune from the family's downfall
Tammy Sue Bakker-Chapman is the eldest child of Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker, born in 1970. She grew up to take after her mother and became an ordained minister, according to The Cinemaholic. She took over her mother's ministry in 1992 after Tammy Faye determined that she no longer wanted to be in the public eye, as per UPI. At the time, Jim was serving time in prison and Tammy Faye was in the middle of divorcing him. Unfortunately, Tammy Sue's parents' choices greatly affected the trajectory of her own life. When Jim was convicted of fraud and sent to prison, Tammy Sue lost all hopes of pursuing a career in music, which she had taken steps to launch at the age of 16 with the release of her debut Christian album, "16".
The Bakker family's demise was especially hard on Tammy Sue at an emotional level. She told Today that reflecting on her family's legacy is painful for her, especially as the media continues to revisit past scandals. "It's been very challenging over my life because people have done films, books, articles, television shows, plays, musicals and all kinds of things about my family," Tammy Sue stated, adding, "I'm a big girl ... but ... It's strange to live that life." As a result of so much public scrutiny, Tammy Sue tries to keep her private life out of the spotlight as much as possible.
Jamie 'Jay' Charles Bakker also followed in the family business
Jamie "Jay" Charles Bakker is Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker's younger child, born in 1975. Like his sister, he also followed in his parents' footsteps, studying to become a pastor and co-founding the liberal ministry, Revolution Church, in 1994. Like his sister, Jay has had a hard time dealing with the consequences of his parents' scandals. He told Vanity Fair that he has "always been in therapy" as a result of the public scrutiny he and his family have endured. Jay has taken steps to take control of his narrative, including publishing a memoir in 2001, entitled "Son of a Preacher Man," in which he shares with readers the experience of growing up in the spotlight and enduring the demise of his parents' empire, according to The Cinemaholic. The book also chronicles his experience with alcoholism, which he attributes to his unique upbringing.
Today, Jay enjoys a life of success marked by his commitment to his ministry and his family. In 2013, he married Karin Aebersold and is the proud father of two. His work with his ministry involves exploring alternative messages to mainstream Christianity. He told Time that his philosophy lies in preaching grace and acceptance rather than a list of "morals and dos and don'ts." He is known as a huge supporter of LGBT rights within Christian churches and describes himself as an "evangelical punk preacher."