Where is Jessica Hahn now? Jimmy Swaggart’s history with actress explored amid television evangelist’s passing

In the wake of televangelist Jimmy Swaggart’s death, model and actress Jessica Hahn’s name seems to have resurfaced, given her previous history with Swaggart. The televangelist, who died on July 1, 2025, at 90, accused another televangelist, Jim Bakker, of being involved with Hahn in 1980, who was also the latter’s secretary.

The news only came to light in 1987. Per Billboard, in the late 1980s when Swaggart and Bakker were interviewed by Time magazine, the latter said he informed about Bakker’s alleged inappropriate behavior to the Assemblies of God officials.

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A 2017 interview piece by The Charlotte Observer mentioned that Jessica Hahn left Hollywood to lead a peaceful life with her husband, Frank Lloyd, at a ranch house close to LA. However, People Magazine noted that Lloyd filed for separation in 2023 due to incompatibility.

Hahn also turned to social media platforms such as Facebook. She was also quite vocal about political affairs on these platforms. In 1988, Jimmy Swaggart found himself amidst a scandal similar to Bakker’s when he was spotted with an escort in a hotel.

The interview piece noted that Bakker manipulated Jessica Hahn into having a physical relationship with him. She told the outlet:

“He just believed that everybody should serve him because he was serving God.”

Discussing how the incident affected her, she said:

“There are nights now that I get up (at 3 a.m.), and I’m sweating. I never had that before. I thought I was sliding through. I thought, ‘My life is fine. I didn’t get injured by this. Nothing affected me. I went off and posed in Playboy ... I did this and I did that. I made it work.’ But no! I wake up now and go, ‘Oh my God, I’m so angry.’”

What did Jessica Hahn say about Jim Bakker’s apology?

Jessica Hahn said she did not open up about the incident for years because she believed that people in powerful positions sometimes took advantage of others, whether in politics, religion, or work.

She also shared that what troubled her the most was her concealed feelings, and it affected her. Jessica Hahn said the experience stayed with her and changed her life in many ways. Jim Bakker reportedly shared his thoughts about the incident years later. Without naming the person involved, he said:

“I sorrowfully acknowledge that seven years ago in an isolated incident, I was wickedly manipulated by treacherous former friends and then-colleagues who victimized me with the aid of a female confederate.”

Reacting to his statement during the interview, Jessica Hahn shared that the man once claimed she had tricked him, but she disagreed. She said he had invited her to Florida, pretending it was to help with his kids, but then met her at a hotel and had a physical relationship with her.

She admitted she didn’t stop him, but also made it clear that it was his decision, not a setup. Jessica was only 21 at the time and had grown up in church, so she didn’t understand what went on or even what some of the words he used meant.

Also Read: What did Ryan Reynolds say? Deadpool star seemingly references Justin Baldoni scandal in TIME100 cover story

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