A well-known evangelist preacher was hospitalized and is in critical condition after recently suffering a cardiac arrest.
Jimmy Swaggart, widely popular for his longtime televangelist work, went into cardiac arrest Sunday and had to be revived before being taken to the hospital. His son, Donnie Swaggart, announced the news in a service Sunday.
Swaggart received chest compressions from his sons before emergency personnel arrived at the scene. After the sons’ unsuccessful attempts, EMTs were able to revive his heartbeat before taking Swaggart to the hospital.
The younger Swaggart said in a video Tuesday that “without a miracle” his father’s “time will be short.” His father, 90, is currently in the intensive care unit.
“For two days all we’ve been able to do is get her to leave his room just to go home and take a shower, try to get a little bit of food, then she wants to come back to be by dad’s side,” Donnie Swaggart said in Tuesday’s video. “This situation is beyond human strength and strength of character.”
Jimmy Swaggart is a televangelist preacher who has been popular for decades. The Louisiana native and co-pastor of the Family Worship Center rose to fame during the 70s and 80s as his weekly telecasts received millions of viewers.
Before becoming a prominent preacher, Swaggart saw success in the music industry with gospel albums like “Jesus, Just The Mention Of Your Name,” “Sometimes Alleluia” and “Jimmy Swaggart & His Golden Gospel Piano.”
During the height of his popularity, Swaggart became involved in several prostitution scandals which led to him being suspended and defrocked. He delivered his infamous “I have sinned” speech live on television in 1988.
More entertainment news:
- Actor from recent Disney box office hit dies at 46
- Pop star blasts fan after uncomfortable interaction. ‘Don’t touch me and manhandle me.’
- Popular British singer dead at 58 of liver cirrhosis
- ‘What the hell is going on?’ Pop star grabbed by ‘troll’ who stormed stage
- Comedian gets 8 years in jail for ‘bigoted and discriminatory’ jokes
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.
Christopher Burch can be reached at cburch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @SwishBurch. Find NJ.comon Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips.