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 3 of 3)
31. I think Tammy was great. An outrageous original. I love outrageous people. She had no hate in her it seemed. I think she is one of the only TV preacher types I've ever felt that about. The average media Bible Thumpers seem to me driven by hate not love. Preaching fear not hope. She was an exception. She had a great sense of humor and never took herself too seriously. She was watchable. She spent no time trying to tear people down or condemn others. Anybody who has yet to see it should watch her son Jay Bakkers show One Punk Under God on Sundance. He has a lot of his mothers love in him. I imagine his childhood must have been like growing up in a Circus with PTL and its fall but he came through it okay. I love his style of preaching and outreach. He does not push people away. You can watch him. You can hear what he says. I see God in him a lot more than I do in Pat Robertson. As I did in his Mom. At least what I think God is. God not Godzilla.. Love not condemnation. Hope not fear.
Steve at 10:56PM on Jul 23rd 2007
32. like any person of world recognized, especially famous and now deceased, a T-Shirt should come out soon on tammy faye. nobody ever applied mascara like she did. it's almost ghoulish and sick in a way.
haf devil at 11:06PM on Jul 23rd 2007
33. I didn't have much use for Tammy when she was a televangelist since I'm a devout atheist. Unlike her peers, she seemed to overcome the crass part of modern day Christianity and become a truly good person. Other aspiring Christians should try to emulate her kindness and acceptance. She should be missed more than phonies like Mother Theresa and Jerry Falwell.
Bubba S. at 12:40AM on Jul 24th 2007
34. the only person her self help book helped was tammy with wild royalties. the first 700 people to buy it commited suicide.
steve at 1:03AM on Jul 24th 2007
35. I began watching Tammy back in the late 80's. I enjoyed watching the Baker family on their PTL show. They made me feel warm and fuzzy. I was always smiling at Tammy with the wigs and make up. Especially at Christmas time, I think of them sitting around the fire-the family together. I still have memories of that scene. It was sad what Jim ,and I pray that he repented and has changed. I know it must have been difficult for the children, but yseem to have survived. Tammy went on to find happiness again without Jim. At first, I was angry when Larry King interviewed her on his show. She looked terrible, and it was difficult for her to speak. Yet, in a sense, her presence sent a mesage, no matter what, trust God. She did, and she reminded me of Job. She accepted her fate and continued to serve God despite the problems in her life. Oh but to leave such a legacy.
wilshant at 4:07AM on Jul 24th 2007
36. If she were the wife of a disgraced democrat senator or actor, she would have had her own show.
The fact that Libs hate her shows exactly what they are about...Free speech..IF you agree with me, free love, for those without moralistic opinions, and free platitudes ONLY if you stood up for the degradation of family,church, and tradition.
We all are subject to temptation and will bow to it sometimes...only the liberals are allowed to recover, while the conservatives are wished to ROT IN HELL!!
lauster at 7:55AM on Jul 24th 2007
37. To Charlesvolcher6: You can go to hell and I'm am absolutely positive many people have told you that, you jerk!
mary at 8:35AM on Jul 24th 2007
38. Ada,
How do you know Tammy Faye wasn't a deep thinker, as if you should know?
Hope at 9:22AM on Jul 24th 2007
39. I did not know Tammy but as a woman I admired her. In the last days of her life she was willing to go on camera (Larry King)completely emaciated. Most women would be too vain to do something like this, which I beleive speaks of her "realness." Fortunately, unlike inidviduals, God looks at the "heart." I believe Tammy's heart was pure. Her life was a testimony of God's love, salvation, forgiveness, and grace. She ministered to others in many ways. Much like the lyrics in Chris Rice's hymn, Tammy sang to Jesus, danced with Jesus, and with her final heartbeat kissed the world goodbye. So now, go in peace Tammy and laugh on Glory's side...Fly to Jesus, Fly to Jesus, Fly to Jesus and live!
Ella at 9:33AM on Jul 24th 2007
40. No matter how we feel about someone, God is their judge. The Word says let the man without sin cast the first stone. If we're honest, none of us are without sin. We were born into sin. That's why God sent JESUS! If you do not know Jesus, He is the best friend you can ever have. He will never leave you! He sticks closer than a brother. Try Jesus!!! You won't regret it.
Amanda at 9:45AM on Jul 24th 2007
41. Let's not forget that this piece of trailer trash helped fleece untold millions of dollars from relatively innocent individuals in the name of religion to support her lavish tastes. She is neither a sympathetic or innocent relic, and she deserves to rot in hell alongside Jerry Falwell and other members of her ridiculous and insulting ilk.
teverton at 2:29PM on Jul 24th 2007
42. Tammy - you brought a sense of fun to religion! Your spirit was luminscent! And the make-up compaies LOVED you! You were true to your convictions and I pray that you will be able to rest peaceful in the arms of your beliefs.
Nanette Carter at 10:08AM on Jul 25th 2007
43. Tammy put a FACE to CANCER.. I think Tammy wanted us to see what people go through in the very last days....I think she truly wanted to tell the people she loved one more time about Jesus...and how much she loved each and everyone of us..People die every day looking just like Tammy did...so please pray for these people...God Bless
nance at 1:03PM on Aug 13th 2007