We met Tammy Faye Messner (formerly Bakker) in 2003 at a drag-queen-hosted book party for her self-help book, I Will Survive and You Will, Too!, in which she offers thoughts like, "I think almost every woman should own a wig." She was all smiles and mascara and graciousness and yes, she got a little weepy talking about how grateful she was for her life post PTL.The book was aptly named. Almost everyone in her life did her wrong (see: the enjoyable documentary The Eyes of Tammy Faye) and yet, there she was at that party, sipping tea, offering beauty tips, scary-chipper. Unlike her televangical colleagues, she seemed to have grown more compassionate the more knocked around she got. She wasn't the deepest thinker in the world, but she did seem to get the concept of Christian love.
She died at 65.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 3)
1. I am from Kenya, Africa. I saw Tammy on TBN for the first time and I loved her very much. Her story touched my heart. I am sure she is now safe with Jesus and without pain.
Jacqueline at 7:30AM on Jul 23rd 2007
2. Oh God
MrWiteKES at 7:53AM on Jul 23rd 2007
3. Tammy Faye was the woman you wanted to hate, but once you heard her speak, couldn't help but like her. You have to admit....she has been through the wringer, and always kept her game face on (pun intended). She was accepting of everyone, always funny and I will miss her.
Valerie at 8:38AM on Jul 23rd 2007
4. I could not dislike Tammy Faye, as I was able to see past the mascara..
Her heart seemed pure, she was non-judgmental, and she loved Jesus..She was a brilliant ray of sunshine in this ugly world..
Teresa at 9:15AM on Jul 23rd 2007
5. May Tammy Faye drown in her gallions of mascara as she ROTS IN HELL!!!!!!
Charlesvolcher6 at 9:29AM on Jul 23rd 2007
6. Tammy Faye was different ....how many of us can say we are 'different'? We all shop at the same place, wear the same jeans, try to lookthe same... like a handful of people that are plastered over the television. But Tammy Faye reamined herself. She loved jewelry, so she wore it. She loved makeup...and she made sure she looked the way she wanted to look. She stepped out in this world and was.....herself. I did not watch PTL Club, or follow her every move. I do live in the Charlotte area and kept up with her life, as she has always been a local favorite. Did she do everything right? No, but none of us do either. I think she fulfilled God's work in her time here on Earth which is what God has asked all of us to do, follow Him. That's why He sent his son Jesus Christ here, to teach us all how to live the right way. Tammy Faye was obedient to God and she took the heat for it alot of the time. She was bold in her faith and how many of us can say we speak out about the things in life we believe in? She seemed to live her life without the false pride most of us carry around. I applaud her efforts in a world filled with crime and hate to show a happy, Jesus-filled attitude to all of us.
Jane at 10:29AM on Jul 23rd 2007
7. Revlon stock just dropped 140 points...
BT at 10:29AM on Jul 23rd 2007
8. Tammy Faye was a unique person, and she was a genuine person. Unlike the Jerry Falwells, Pat Robertsons, and Fred Phelps of the world, she was a true Christian. She actually did unto others as she wanted others to do unto her. She loved all people, regardless of their race, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, or political viewpoints. There will never be another like her, and I will miss her dearly...
Billy Slocumb at 1:39PM on Jul 23rd 2007
9. Do we ever really know the hearts and minds of any public personalities? I think that anyone who makes a living and amasses wealth spreading their version of the 'word' is subjecting themselves to 'judgement.' I saw her on Larry King live and she looked so emaciated, but she wanted to make a public appearance. Why I wonder?
Terri at 8:44PM on Jul 27th 2007
10. Weird how even when someone dies people cannot help being rude and hateful.
Jon at 2:33PM on Jul 23rd 2007
11. Not everyone can sugar coat or be oblivious to others suffering as you obviously can "Jon". Although I do not wish death upon anyone, Tammy Faye was nothing more than a con artist that milked hundreds of thousands out of people and mostly from house bound seniors. I know.. I know not everyone is perfect blah blah but not everyone is a lying thief either. Her and her Ex were nothing more than televised con artists. I'm sure many are glad she suffered just like she made thousands of others poor. As far as her going straight to Heaven.. what a joke Did she think God was stupid? After all the stealing she did in his name I'm sure he had ST. Peter slam the door on her.
ducky at 3:32AM on Jul 24th 2007
12. Although Jim and Tammy Baker were not my cup of tea, I could not help but like Tammy.
We all laughed during the PTL scandal of the late 1980's and the media frenzy that surrounded. A pundit once said that the televangelist scandals of the late 1980's were liberals revenge on the religious right. True enough...but I cannot say Tammy's faith was not the real deal. She always was upbeat and positive even when her life was hell. ammy truly believed in God and had great faith.
Rest in peace, Tammy...
David S. at 3:11PM on Jul 23rd 2007
13. Tammy Faye was a character -- a true American original. No question. I don't believe she was aware of what Jim Bakker was involved in during the PTL scandal. I really don't. There was purity in this little soul behind all that trademark mascara. I've watched plenty of interviews with her over the years -- I even had a friend that handled her PR for awhile, and the reports always came back that Tammy was the real article: funny, truthful, compassionate, and devoted. To see that sick, battered little body emaciated beyond recognition just short time back on Larry King says it all: Cancer had eaten all of her away, and yet she smiled and laughed and praised God. Would that we all could have that conviction for love.
R. Brown at 3:56PM on Jul 23rd 2007
14. I don't think it is for us to pass judgment on one who had done bad in their life. GOD will take care of that. She knew she did wrong and redeemed herself for herself. She was only a human, even Jesus commited sins, remember his 12 years of life that aren't in the bible? I say to her, Tammy you are a person who touched a lot of lives here on earth while in your human form, may your spirtual journey be one of peace and harmony. God bless you and your soul. Live eternally.
Mark, North Hollywood CA
bigfatmoviestar7@yahoo.com at 4:11PM on Jul 23rd 2007
15. I'll miss her. I loved her singing (yes, I really did - so what she was off key? Musically perhaps; but her heart was spot on! :-) ), and I loved her vitality. Heaven's choir is one mighty voice stronger these past couple of days, and I know she, Howard and Vestal Goodman, and Ruth Graham have had a wonderful meeting, there at the feet of the Savior, and one day by His grace, I'll get to meet her in person to tell her how much and how well she ministered to me so many years ago. My favorite Tammy Faye song, I suppose, was "Praise the Lord," sung to the tune of Edelweiss: "Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, Alleluia! Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, Alleluia! King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Praise His name forever! Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, Alleluia!" Amen!
Mark at 4:55PM on Jul 23rd 2007