NEW YORK (Reuters) - Tammy Faye Bakker, the disgraced televangelist whose reputations was rehabilitated through a documentary and reality show, has penned a goodbye letter to her fans in which she says doctors have stopped treating her cancer.

"The doctors have stopped trying to treat the cancer and so now it's up to God and my faith. And that's enough! But please continue to pray for the pain and sick stomach," Tammy Faye wrote in a letter to her "faithful friends" on her Web site.

"My precious daughter, Tammy Sue, and her wonderful friends are staying with me," Tammy Faye wrote. "They don't want me falling down the stairs. I am down weight wise to 65 pounds, and look like a scarecrow. I need God's miracle to swallow."

In 1996 Tammy Faye was diagnosed with colon cancer. In 2004 she learned the cancer had returned, this time in her lungs.

Tammy Faye and her husband, Jim, were household names in the United States, with a television evangelical empire that brought in close to an estimated $130 million annually at its height in the 1980s and reached 13 million homes daily.

Tammy Faye's face was one of the most recognized on American television, the mascara running riot as she tearfully beseeched viewers to open their hearts to Jesus -- and their wallets to the Bakkers' causes.

It all came crashing down amid sex and financial scandals that landed Jim in prison for five years. Tammy Faye divorced Jim and married his best friend.

In 2000, a critically acclaimed documentary about her life, "The Eyes of Tammy Faye," was released and did much to rehabilitate her image. Then in 2004 Tammy Faye appeared on the cult reality show "The Surreal Life," where she lived in a house alongside such other "celebrities" as porn star Ron Jeremy and rapper Vanilla Ice, winning over the audience and fellow cast mates with her warmth and humor.

OMG, how horrible. I am so sad to hear that her treatments were not successful. I was really hoping that she would get that miracle she so dearly wanted. I had heard rumors that she was down to a mere 60 some pounds. I guess it is true. What a trooper she is and she really has faith in God and she is such an inspiration. GOD BLESS YOU TAMMY FAYE.

That's so sad.

In the 80s I really disliked her (and hated Jim's guts - I could tell they were just swindling) but got to like and admire her over the years. She's a pretty cool gal.

You said it Irene - a real trooper. And seems to have really kept a sense of humour and life with it all.

I just hope her God takes her easily and if necessary, fairly swiftly now - or tosses a miracle her way.

Saying some prayers for you Tammy. :(

How very sad. She's really nearing her end. It's a terrible sight to behold, your loved one wasting away. God bless Tammy and her loved ones.

She has appeared on her son's tv show on IFC or is it the Sundance channel? She looked so thin and sickly. Not the person you see in that picture above.

Having lost a grandmother and a close friend (not to mention Elizabeth Montgomery!) to colon cancer, I can well imagine what this family is going through right now. I was never a big fan of theirs but over the years have recognized that Tammy Faye has repented and has touched the lives of others in positive ways. She does indeed have a remarkable sense of humor, love of life and love of God. I will say a prayer for her tonight. God bless her and her loved ones.

She has appeared on her son's tv show on IFC or is it the Sundance channel? She looked so thin and sickly. Not the person you see in that picture above.
What is his show called?

What is his show called?


One Punk Under God

My friend Steve, who went to a Christian college in Michigan, got to meet Jay Bakker. Jay was at the school for some workshop or seminar. They hit it off and even stayed in touch (I don't know if they are still in contact). From what Steve told me, Jay is a great guy and has a sense of humor like his mom.

My friend Steve, who went to a Christian college in Michigan, got to meet Jay Bakker. Jay was at the school for some workshop or seminar. They hit it off and even stayed in touch (I don't know if they are still in contact). From what Steve told me, Jay is a great guy and has a sense of humor like his mom.


Jay really does seem cool. He really brings a different spin to religion.

One Punk Under God
Thank you. I seen the show once, but couldn't remember what it was called.

Wow...65 pounds. That's pretty scary. It's nice that her daughter is there with her.

Wow...65 pounds. That's pretty scary. It's nice that her daughter is there with her.


My mother was 64 lbs. when she finally passed, although she was taller than Tammy Faye (5'6"). She just looked hideous. Her sister asked if it was o.k. to throw away the picture of her the nursing home took and we all agreed. We didn't want to remember her like that.
That's why I'm almost praying that if it has to happen, it will be fast so she doesn't have to suffer more. :(

Is Jay not close with her? I'm just surprised that he's not trying to be there for her.

I will be believing alongside with Tammy for a healing. I do wish her well. I am so glad that she held onto her faith throughout all the mess that she has endured throughout the years.

That's really sad about Tammy Faye. No matter what her husband did, she always seemed to be a person who just loved everyone and held a positive thought for everything. She accepted everyone for who they were. She was one of the few evangelical personalities who accepted gays. One of the people who was part of her ministry in recent years was JM J. Bullock, who played Munroe on Too Close For Comfort, who is gay.

That's really sad about Tammy Faye. No matter what her husband did, she always seemed to be a person who just loved everyone and held a positive thought for everything. She accepted everyone for who they were. She was one of the few evangelical personalities who accepted gays. One of the people who was part of her ministry in recent years was JM J. Bullock, who played Munroe on Too Close For Comfort, who is gay.


Same here, I even went to her website to wish her well.
I've never liked Jerry Falwell, and hated what he did to the Bakkers (even though I don't like what they did either). But it was the old "he who is without sin" thing with him. I'm just glad he went first (as bad as that sounds). I do hope the best for Tammy, she's shown what it means to be a true Christian the past few years. Jerry never did.