Donnie Swaggart, a prominent American evangelist and author, has devoted over 25 years to spreading the Pentecostal gospel worldwide through Donnie Swaggart Ministries and as a co-pastor of Family Worship Center Church. Born on October 18, 1954, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he carries the legacy of his famous father, televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, while carving out his own path in ministry and media.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- The famous preacher is the only child of Frances and Jimmy.
- Frances is a television personality known for hosting the TV show Frances and Friends.
- Donnie’s father, Jimmy, was a renowned televangelist, gospel artist, and author.
- His father’s legacy is defined by two major scandals that toppled his multi-million dollar television empire.
Profile summary
|
Full name |
Donnie Swaggart |
|
Gender |
Male |
|
Date of birth |
18 October 1954 |
|
Age |
71 years old (as of June 2026) |
|
Zodiac sign |
Libra |
|
Place of birth |
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA |
|
Current residence |
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA |
|
Nationality |
American |
|
Ethnicity |
White |
|
Religion |
Christianity |
|
Sexuality |
Straight |
|
Height in feet |
5’7” |
|
Height in centimetres |
170 |
|
Weight in pounds |
165 |
|
Weight in kilograms |
75 |
|
Hair colour |
Dark brown |
|
Eye colour |
Brown |
|
Mother |
Frances |
|
Father |
Jimmy |
|
Relationship status |
Married |
|
Partner |
Debbie |
|
Children |
3 |
|
Profession |
Evangelist, author |
|
|
@DonnieSwaggart |
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Donnie Swaggart’s biography
Donnie Swaggart is a famous preacher from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. He leads the Donnie Swaggart Ministries. He was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.
What is Donnie Swaggart’s age?
Jimmy Swaggart’s son is 71 years old as of June 2026. He was born on 18 October 1954. His zodiac sign is Libra.
Who are Donnie Swaggart’s biological parents?
The famous preacher is the only child of Frances and Jimmy. His mother, Frances, is a television personality known for hosting the TV show Frances and Friends. His father, Jimmy, was a renowned televangelist, gospel artist, and author.
Jimmy died at the age of 90 on July 1, 2025, after suffering a cardiac arrest. Donnie paid tribute to his dad, saying.
Needless to say, our hearts are broken, but at the same time, we know where he is. We know he’s in heaven. We know he’s with the Lord. We know that his race is run.
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Source: Original
Donnie Swaggart’s father’s scandals
Jimmy Swaggart’s legacy is defined by two major sexual scandals that toppled his multi-million dollar television empire. His downfall became a cultural flashpoint, shifting public perception of televangelists and ending his association with the Assemblies of God.
The 1988 Scandal
A rival televangelist, Marvin Gorman, hired private investigators who caught Swaggart visiting Debra Murphree at a motel in Louisiana.
In February 1988, Swaggart made an emotional, televised apology to his congregation and global audience, tearfully stating,
I have sinned against you, my Lord.
The Assemblies of God leadership recommended he take a one-year hiatus from preaching. Swaggart initially agreed but then resisted, prompting the church to strip him of his ministerial credentials. He later resigned and continued his work as an independent minister.
The 1991 Scandal
In 1991, Jimmy Swaggart was pulled over in a routine traffic stop for driving on the wrong side of the road. His passenger, named Rosemary Garcia, confirmed to police and reporters that Swaggart had solicited her to sleep with her.
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Unlike his previous breakdown, Swaggart showed little remorse. He told his congregation from the stage,
The Lord told me it’s flat none of your business,
The evangelist briefly stepped away for a short rehabilitation period before returning to the pulpit days later.
Where does Donnie Swaggart’s family live?
The preacher resides with his family in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. He is an American national of white ethnicity.
What is Donnie Swaggart doing now?
He is an evangelist of Donnie Swaggart Ministries and a co-pastor of Family Worship Center Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. The preacher has been involved in the ministry for more than two decades and has travelled to various parts of the world to spread the pentecostal gospel. He has been to Canada, the UK, Ukraine, Australia, India, and multiple African countries.
Apart from preaching the gospel, he is also an author and has written a couple of books published by Jimmy Swaggart Ministries. His two books are entitled Light of Liberty and Church, Read the book of Acts and Get Ready!
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Donnie is also a television personality, co-hosting on SonLife Broadcasting Network (SBN). The television network was founded by his father, Jimmy, in 1995 and has more than 70 radio broadcasting stations.
Is Donnie Swaggart married?
The preacher is married to his wife, Debbie. This is the couple’s second marriage after their first marriage failed, and they divorced in 2003. After the divorce, the pastor married Judy, but after a short while, they divorced, and he remarried Debbie in 2006.
How many children does Donnie Swaggart have?
Donnie Swaggart has three children: two sons, Gabriel and Matthew, and a daughter, Jennifer Swaggart, with his wife, Debbie. His eldest son, Gabriel, heads Crossfire Youth Ministry. Mathew is a photographer and television graphics artist at the ministry, while Jennifer is a teacher and graduated with a master’s degree in education.
Donnie Swaggart’s children are married, and the preacher has around eight grandchildren.
Donnie Swaggart’s health speculation
The preacher is in good health and actively continues his roles. There are no verified medical reports indicating that he is suffering from any serious illness.
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Donnie Swaggart’s height
The evangelist is 5’7” (170 cm) tall. He weighs approximately 165 pounds (75 kgs).
Fast facts about Donnie Swaggart
- How old is Donnie Swaggart? He is 71 years old as of 2026. He was born on 18 October 1954.
- Does Donnie Swaggart have cancer? Even though there are rumours that the preacher was diagnosed with cancer, he has not confirmed or refuted the claims.
- What happened to Donnie Swaggart? Donnie’s dad, Jimmy Lee Swaggart, died on 1 July 2025. He was a lifelong evangelist. Donnie led an emotional tribute for his dad from his church.
- How many times has Donnie Swaggart been married? He has been married three times. His first marriage to Debbie failed, and they divorced. His second marriage to Judy also failed, and he reunited with his ex-wife Debbie, with whom he remarried in 2006.
- Who was Donnie Swaggart’s first wife? His first wife was Debbie.
- What is Donnie Swaggart’s job? He is a pentecostal preacher, media personality, and author.
- Does Donnie Swaggart have children? He has three children, Gabriel, Matthew, and Jennifer.
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Donnie Swaggart is an eminent evangelist and author. He has been a preacher for over two decades and is known globally for his pentecostal gospel. Donnie is married and has three children and around eight grandchildren.
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Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng