Tammy Faye Messner, who was just interviewed by Larry King a few days ago, has died of cancer.
She actually died yesterday, and the news was announced on CNN tonight. Larry King had a special tribute show for Messner on Saturday's show (though I'm wondering why he's calling her "great" and an old interview he conducted with her and Jim Bakker as "historic"). She died at home, and a ceremony was already held and her ashes were interred in a private ceremony.
Messner is probably best known for marrying Jim Bakker in 1961. In the 70s they started the Trinity Broadcasting Company. In 1974 they started the PTL Club and a television network. Bakker later had an affair with Jessica Hahn and was convicted of fraud (he used millions of dollars he had raised from followers) and conspiracy. He spent six years in jail. The couple divorced in 1992. Tammy Faye married Ron Messner in 1993. Tammy Faye appeared on VH-1's The Surreal Life and there was a documentary about her, The Eyes of Tammy Faye.















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-22-2007 @ 12:22AM
bsgfan2003 said...
What a nice loving lady. In terms of loving her fellow man she walked the walk as well as talked the talk. God Bless Tammy Faye.
Reply
7-22-2007 @ 12:41AM
Missy said...
I watched the interview on Thursday with Tammy and Larry, and it really hit home for me. My mother is currently battleing an aggressive and deadly form of cancer with similar symptoms. I called my mom that next day telling her about the interview, and highly suggested that she log on larry's website and watch it again because it was very touching. I was devestated to hear about her passing today, and send my condolences to her entire family. Tammy was a strong, lively, and commited individual for all that she had done. I think its a beautiful thing that she found Jesus. May she rest in peace and find all those beautiful things again.
Reply
7-22-2007 @ 2:25AM
Miranda said...
It's funny, I'm not a believer, but watching "The Eyes of Tammy Faye" really did give me some sympathy for her, and make her seem like a real person instead of a TV caricature (I am a child of the 80s, so I saw all of the scandals, and heard all of the jokes about her). So, I don't know or care about her religious work and background, but I was sorry that her cancer came back, and I'm sorry that she died. She seemed like a nice enough person, underneath it all.
Reply
7-29-2007 @ 12:21PM
Joan Weigle said...
I think Tammy Faye was a beautiful soul. I believe she truly loved God and strived to do the best she could to be a good representative of Him - not Christianity so much, but the Man, Christ. She was a loving, caring, truly spiritual individual who helped me so much back in the 80's when I was a new Christian. I could tune in to her show(s) and enjoy listening to her talk about everything. She struggled with her faith sometimes and didn't mind sharing that and that's what made her so real to me. Not a holier-than-thou, pious Christian, but a true, loving spirit of God who faced problems and sometimes shared her doubt with us. I loved her and never met her. She blessed me a thousandfold and I will never forget her. God bless her family.
Reply
7-22-2007 @ 4:25AM
Steve said...
Tammy Faye, in her later years, did much to separate herself from the scandal that enveloped her ex-husband. I agree with the others who have commented that she was a good-natured individual who truly touched the hearts of those who had a chance to meet her. May she rest in peace.
Reply
7-22-2007 @ 5:52AM
oNOuDidn said...
my dad just died 3 weeks ago and the change in him physically was equally as shocking.
if there is pure evil on this planet, its name is cancer
Reply
7-26-2007 @ 12:06AM
Christina O said...
My sister called me to watch a clip of Tammy Faye only a couple of days ago and I was shocked to see how she looked. That poor woman has been through so much in her life, I'm glad she's finally at peace. God Bless you, Tammy Faye.
Reply
7-22-2007 @ 6:04AM
Jamico said...
I was probably caused from all the make up she wore, it finally got in to her blood system.
Reply
7-22-2007 @ 8:55AM
Angela Ward said...
I am 35 years old, mother of 2 and have had my share of worries. I sometimes find myself pulling my strength from courageous women such as Tammy Faye,Dana Reeves,Elizabeth Edwards etc. What they had to go through-what some are still going through it amazes me the courage and strength. I admire them completely-they are amazing women and if I can be half the woman that any one of them were/are in their lifetime then i am one step closer to being a better mother,daughter,friend & person in mine.God bless you Tammy.
Reply
7-22-2007 @ 1:07PM
clintonandsandy said...
God bless her soul. I know how much she suffered, I am a cancer survivor myself, and because the Lord isn't ready for me I am still here.
Tammy's time had come and she is happy now having such a good time in Heaven without any pain just happiness.
My heart gos out to the family along with my prayers.
Reply
7-22-2007 @ 3:05PM
Brent McKee said...
I rather like what Jim J. Bullock, who co-hosted a morning talk show on Fox with Tammy Faye in the early '90s said about her in 2006: "To me she really is the idea of what a true Christian should be — really Christlike. She's not a judgmental person and she's not there to force her faith or her belief on anybody else. She's just here to love."
Reply
7-22-2007 @ 6:56PM
Lana C. said...
May GOD Rest her soul, I believe she IS in heaven withour Lord, just as she said she would be. May peace be with her family at this time.
Reply
7-22-2007 @ 10:45PM
lynn m said...
God brought her home to heaven. Her purpose was accomplished. She loved Jesus and people on this earth without judgement. She kept her faith in spite of dire circumstances in front of the world. Our hearts and prayers extend to her family and friends left to mourn her passing. Shes healed and whole and i'll bet shes enjoying a burger and fries with the Lord..God bless you Tammy Faye for your witness to this sad old world.
Reply
7-23-2007 @ 9:19AM
Alex Hartley said...
You all have said so many kind things about Tammy Messner that I can't top them but I can say that I watched the PTL Club and loved Tammy then and I still love her now. I will miss her greatly.
Reply
7-28-2007 @ 12:18PM
jpnsatx said...
As a gay teen in the early 1980's, I was outed to my parents. They automatically assumed I had AIDS and would infect them, my brothers and sisters. I was immediately kicked out of the family. They believed I was lost and going to hell. Then they began watching Tammy Faye on Christian television telling the world that AIDS was not God's wrath. All Christian's, especially parents, should love, not hate God's gay children. God made them that way, God loves them and God does not make junk. It completely changed them. They accepted me, let me come home and became supportive, too. God spoke through Tammy Faye and for me, changed the world. I will ALWAYS Love her. God Bless You, Tammy Faye
Reply