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Tammy Faye Bakker

Tammy Faye Bakker (also known as Tammy Faye Messner, born Tamara Faye LaValley) was an American televangelist, singer, author, and television personality.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Tammy Faye Bakker (also known as Tammy Faye Messner, born Tamara Faye LaValley) was an American televangelist, singer, author, and television personality. She became widely known as the co-host of The PTL Club with her first husband, Jim Bakker, and later for her public image, AIDS advocacy, and sympathetic attitude toward LGBTQ people. Born in International Falls, Minnesota, in 1942, she rose to prominence through Christian television.

Early life

Tamara Faye LaValley was born in International Falls, Minnesota, in 1942. Sources describe her as coming from a religious background, and she later entered Christian broadcasting.

PTL and televangelism

She rose to prominence through The PTL Club, a televangelist program she co-founded with Jim Bakker in 1974. The show made the Bakkers nationally known and helped build a larger Christian media enterprise.

Public image and advocacy

Bakker was widely recognized for her emotional style, distinctive appearance, and willingness to discuss subjects many televangelists avoided. She was also noted for her compassion toward people with AIDS and her more accepting stance toward LGBTQ people.

Later life and death

After the PTL scandal, she divorced Jim Bakker and later married Roe Messner. She was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1996 and died in 2007.

Key facts

  • She co-founded and co-hosted The PTL Club with Jim Bakker in 1974.
  • She became one of the best-known faces of American televangelism in the late 20th century.
  • She was also active as a singer and author.
  • Her public image was shaped by her heavy makeup, emotional on-air style, and high profile in Christian television.
  • After Jim Bakker's fraud conviction and the PTL scandal, her marriage ended and the ministry collapsed.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Tammy Faye Bakker?
She was an American televangelist, singer, author, and television personality best known for co-hosting The PTL Club with Jim Bakker.
What was The PTL Club?
The PTL Club was a Christian television program co-founded by Tammy Faye Bakker and Jim Bakker in 1974.
Why was Tammy Faye Bakker famous?
She became famous through Christian television, her public persona, and later media attention surrounding the PTL scandal and her personal image.
Was Tammy Faye Bakker married more than once?
Yes. She was married to Jim Bakker and later to Roe Messner.
When did Tammy Faye Bakker die?
She died on July 20, 2007, after a long battle with cancer.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Tammy-Faye-Messner
    Supports: Birth name, birth and death dates, occupation, and role as co-host of The PTL Club.
  2. The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/22/us/22bakker.html
    Supports: Death, age, career in televangelism, and the collapse of the Bakkers' media empire.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tammy_Faye_Messner
    Supports: Marriage history, PTL Club founding, Heritage USA, and later life details.
  4. History Hit — https://www.historyhit.com/culture/who-was-tammy-faye-bakker/
    Supports: Career overview, PTL Club founding, and public stance on LGBTQ people and AIDS.