RALEIGH, N.C. – Tammy Faye Messner, who as Tammy Faye Bakker helped her husband, Jim, build a multimillion-dollar evangelism empire and then saw it collapse in disgrace, has died. She was 65.
Messner, who had battled cancer since 1996, died at her home Friday, said her booking agent, Joe Spotts. A family service was held Saturday in a private cemetery, he said.
She spoke frequently about her medical problems, saying she hoped to be an inspiration to others. “Don’t let fear rule your life,” she said. “Live one day at a time, and never be afraid.”
She divorced Bakker, her husband of 30 years, in 1992 while he was in prison for defrauding millions from followers of their PTL television ministries.
Her second husband also served time in prison. In 1995, Roe Messner was convicted of bankruptcy fraud, and he spent about two years in prison.
Through it all, Tammy Faye Messner kept plugging her faith and herself. She did concerts, a short-lived secular TV talk show and an inspirational videotape.
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