Tammy Faye Messner Dies at 65

Famed evangelist and media figure struggled with drugs, scandal

By Sam Biddle, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 22, 2007 7:48 AM CDT

(Newser) – Televangelist and Christian entertainer Tammy Faye Messner died Friday morning, CNN reports. She had struggled with drug addiction throughout her life and finally died of cancer. Messner had recently been a guest on Larry King Live, appearing precariously ill, claiming she could no longer swallow food and weighed only 65 pounds.

Messner and former husband Jim Bakker founded evangelical television network "The Praise the Lord Club," which at its peak held 12 million subscribers, as well as a popular hotel and theme-park destination. Their operation later folded due to a sex scandal and business improprieties on the part of Bakker. Messner recorded over 25 albums and authored several books.

[Images (6)]

[Videos (1)]

This image made from television and released by CNN shows Tammy Faye Messner as she speaks to host Larry King, by satellite link, during a taping of "Larry King Live," on July 19, 2007. Messner, who as... (Associated Press)

Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker are shown at their rented home in Malibu, Calif., in this Nov. 19, 1987, file photo. Messner, who as Tammy Faye Bakker helped her then husband, Jim, build a multimillion-dollar... (Associated Press)

Television evangelists Jim Bakker and wife Tammy Faye Bakker talk to a television audience in this Aug. 20, 1986, file photo. Messner, who as Tammy Faye Bakker helped her husband, Jim, build a multimillion-dollar... (Associated Press)

2005 Television Critics Winter Press Tour (Getty Images)

Tammy Faye Messner gestures during an interview with talk show host Larry King, on CNN's "Larry King Live" in Los Angeles in this March 18, 2004, file photo. Messner, who as Tammy Faye Bakker helped her... (Associated Press)

Tammy Faye Bakker Messner is shown in this March 3, 1990 file photo in Los Angeles. Messner, who as Tammy Faye Bakker helped her husband, Jim, build a multimillion-dollar evangelism empire and then saw... (Associated Press)

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Tammy Faye Messner Dies at 65