Trivia

Before he was a successful televangelist, he used to work as a construction worker near his hometown in Ferriday, Louisiana.

When he was 14, in 1949, he had enough of his father's strictness. Along with his cousin, Jerry Lee Lewis, Swaggart was sneaking out to nightclubs, listening to blues music.

He, along with Frances and Donnie, lived in poverty during the 1950s as he preached throughout rural Louisiana, struggling to survive on $30 a week.

Underwent successful surgery at Baton Rouge General Hospital after complaining of chest pains, also an angioplasty procedure to clear a blockage in an artery leading to his heart. [3 February 2001].

Born to local sharecroppers.

His parents, W.L. "Son" Swaggart, a minister, and Minnie Bell (Herron) Swaggart, was a devoted housewife and a minister.

Went to high school with cousins Mickey Gilley and Jerry Lee Lewis.

His idols were B.B. King and Ray Charles.

Before he was a successful televangelist, he worked as an oilman.

Friend of: Billy Graham, Robert H. Schuller, Oral Roberts, Kenneth Copeland, Jack Van Impe, Jim Bakker, Tammy Faye Bakker, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Kenneth E. Hagin, Jesse Duplantis, Jerry Savelle, Marilyn Hickey, Charles Stanley, Morris Cerullo, Charles Swindoll, James Dobson, James Robison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Mickey Gilley, John Osteen and Rex Humbard.

Was voted Favorite Gospel Music Artist by readers of the magazine Singing News in 1974.

Cousin of country singer/actor Mickey Gilley.

Cousin of rock singer Jerry Lee Lewis.

His son, Donnie Swaggart, was named after his younger brother, who passed away in March 1941, of pneumonia.

Is portrayed by Alec Baldwin in Great Balls of Fire! ou la Légende vivante du rock and roll (1989)

Started playing piano at age 14, along with Jerry Lee Lewis.

Met wife, Frances Anderson, while attending his father's church, playing piano. They married later that same year.

His mother, Minnie Bell Swaggart, died after surgery, on June 9, 1960.

Sun Records producer Sam Phillips wanted to start a gospel line of music for the label (undoubtedly to remain in competition with RCA Victor and Columbia, who also had gospel lines) and wanted Swaggart for Sun as the label's first gospel artist. Swaggart's cousin Jerry Lee Lewis, who had previously signed with Sun, was reportedly making $20,000 per week at the time. Although the offer meant a promise for significant income for him and his family, Swaggart turned Phillips down, stating that he was called to preach the gospel.

Began ministry full time when he was only 20.

As of 2015, he has recorded over 50 gospel albums.

Got married at age 17.

When he was only 5, he and his family moved to Houston, Texas, to continue building a family. But after Jimmy lost his brother, he and his family moved back to Ferriday, Louisiana, to be closer to his grandmother, Ada Lewis Swaggart.

His aunt, Arilla (née Swaggart) Wells, had passed away on August 9, 2015. She lived to be 98.

His aunt, Arilla (née Swaggart) Wells, was a retired manager of Wells Grocery in Tunica, Louisiana.

When his father, "Son", began his double duty as a preacher, Jimmy, who was 13 at the time, wanted to help the father make ends meet, despite his father's job that didn't pay so much.

His father took on double-duty, as an evangelist, which, the job didn't pay much, so Jimmy wanted to help the family make ends meet.

Is a friend of Benny Hinn, who visited Swaggart's church, prior to his scandal.

Father of Donnie Swaggart.

His parents, W.L. "Son" and Minnie Bell Swaggart, were married in 1934. The couple had Jimmy, the following year.

Brother of Jeannette Swaggart.

Great-grandfather of Samantha, Abby, Ryder, Lola, Harper, Harrison, and Caroline.

Preaching ran in his family.

Grandfather of Jennifer, Gabriel and Matthew.

After he married Frances Anderson, he lived not too far from his grandmother.

Is very good friends with the late Robert H. Schuller and knew almost everybody in the family. His son Donnie Swaggart is friends with Robert A. Schuller (Robert H. Schuller's son), and his grandson Gabriel Swaggart is friends with Bobby Schuller (Robert H. Schuller's grandson). Both Gabriel and Bobby both met as students, while at Oral Roberts University.

He recorded his first album "God Took Away My Yesterdays.".

Grandson of Ada Lewis Swaggart.

His wife, Frances Swaggart, gave birth to Donnie, when Jimmy was only 19.

Began his contract singing career with Sun Records in 1958.

Moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with his wife and son, when Swaggart was only 33, in 1968, and has lived there ever since.

When he was 17, in 1952, he had absolutely no choice other than to reunite with his father, at a church in Wisner, Louisiana. It was there that Swaggart played piano, in the services.

His father, W.L. "Son" Swaggart, died in 1999.

His mother, Minnie Bell Swaggart, had Jimmy, when she was 18.

Did not attend the funeral of his longtime friend Robert H. Schuller.

Attended Ferriday High School in Ferriday, Louisiana.

Unlike himself, who was high-strung, while his cousins, Jerry & Mickey were more dominant.

He, along with Jerry Lee Lewis and Mickey Gilley were inducted into the Delta Music Museum Hall of Fame. [March 2, 2002].

When Jimmy Swaggart and Jerry Lee Lewis had decided it'll be best to play down their family ties, it proved beneficial for Jimmy. Then, at only age 25, he reapplied and this time, he was accepted for ordination at the Assemblies of God Church.

He was the youngest preacher ever to also become an ordained minister, under the National Pentecostal Church (A.K.A. The Assemblies of God).