Jim Bakker, the televangelist who co-founded "The PTL Club" broadcast empire, died Monday at age 86. His wife, Lori Bakker, announced the death in a statement, saying he "devoted 66 years to preaching the Gospel" and stayed active in ministry almost until the end. A specific cause of death has not been made public.

Bakker and his first wife, Tammy Faye, built PTL into one of the largest televangelism operations in the country during the 1970s and early 1980s, complete with the 2,300-acre Heritage USA theme park. The empire collapsed in 1987 amid a sex scandal and allegations of financial fraud. Bakker was later convicted on 24 counts of mail and wire fraud and conspiracy and sentenced to 45 years in prison, ultimately serving about five years before his release, as CBS News reports.

After prison, Bakker rebuilt a media career, launching "The Jim Bakker Show" with Lori from a compound near Branson, Missouri, where he continued broadcasting on Christianity, prophecy and current events for decades, according to NPR's obituary.