Infamous televangelist Jimmy Swaggart has been hospitalised in critical condition following a cardiac arrest over the weekend at his home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The 90-year-old collapsed on Sunday morning, June 15, which coincided with Father’s Day, prompting an emergency response from nearby friends and paramedics.
According to his son, Donnie Swaggart, who addressed the congregation later that day, the situation is dire. “Without a miracle, his time is short,” he said during a sermon.
Swaggart’s spokesperson, Megan Kelly, confirmed the incident, noting that while the pastor had no known preexisting health conditions, he had recently been experiencing unexplained falls. On Saturday, just a day before the cardiac event, he fell again and needed help from his son to stand. Despite that, Swaggart was reportedly determined to preach on Sunday, consistent with his long-standing commitment to ministry.
Family members said Swaggart’s wife was present when he went into cardiac arrest. Two close friends who were nearby administered CPR until emergency medical services arrived. The family has since gathered at his side, preparing for what they describe as a critical situation, while holding out hope for a miracle. As of Tuesday morning, there has been no official update on his condition, according to a post on Swaggart’s official Facebook page.
Swaggart rose to national prominence as a televangelist in the 1980s but saw his reputation crumble after a series of scandals. In 1988, he was publicly mocked after being caught with a prostitute in New Orleans, prompting a tearful confession in which he admitted, “I have sinned.” The Assemblies of God later defrocked him, though he continued his ministry independently. A similar scandal followed in 1991 in California.
Despite the controversies, Swaggart remained active in ministry. He founded Jimmy Swaggart Ministries in 1955 and built a media empire that included radio, television, and over 50 published books.
