Introduction
A Final Song for a Fallen Giant: Jimmy Swaggart Dies at 90 — What Was Sung at His Funeral Left the World in Tears
With a profound sense of loss across the global Christian community and beyond, Reverend Jimmy Swaggart, one of the most recognizable figures in 20th- and early 21st-century televangelism, has died at the age of 90. His death was confirmed by his ministry and widely reported by major news outlets.
Swaggart’s legacy was both monumental and controversial. Born in Ferriday, Louisiana, in 1935, he rose from a rural upbringing to build Jimmy Swaggart Ministries into one of the most influential and far-reaching religious networks in the United States. At the height of his influence, his broadcasts were carried internationally, and he became known as a passionate preacher, gospel singer and pianist whose programs shaped the faith experience of millions.
In mid-June 2025, Swaggart suffered a cardiac arrest at his Baton Rouge home and was hospitalized. His family publicly disclosed he “never regained consciousness” after the incident. Several weeks later, on July 1, his ministry announced his passing, noting that he had “finished his earthly race and entered into the presence of His Savior, Jesus Christ.”
News of his death brought tributes from all corners of the Christian world. Many remembered him not only for his preaching but for his deep connection to gospel music. His recordings of hymns and spirituals were fixtures in many homes and worship services, blending traditional Pentecostal fervor with heartfelt musical expression.
At his funeral service, held in Baton Rouge and attended by family, ministry colleagues, and supporters from across the country, music played a central role. Hymns such as “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art” — songs Swaggart performed countless times during his ministry — filled the sanctuary. Instrumental and choral renditions of classics brought many to tears, reflecting a lifetime of worship through song. Vocal tributes celebrated his early days as a gospel musician and his later years of broadcasting. While personal reflections varied, the music unified mourners in both sorrow and gratitude for his influence.
Though his life was marked by both devotion and controversy, Swaggart’s impact on Christian broadcasting and gospel music remains undeniable. In the end, the melodies that echoed through his final farewell spoke to a generation of believers whose lives were shaped by his voice and his song.