Tammy Faye

Whatever you think of the PTL debacle in the 80's, Tammy Faye Bakker lived her last years with purpose and dignity. I think she was very tolerant of other people's beliefs and lifestyles, even making friends on The Surreal Life with porn star Ron Jeremy. Bakker made it clear she did not understand his lifestyle but made efforts to get to know him as a person, and the two grew close enough that Jeremy arranged for the woman who helped bring PTL down, Jessica Hahn, to call Tammy Faye with an apology for having had sex with Jim Bakker. Tammy Faye graciously accepted the mea culpa just as she accepted the trials and tribulations of her life, including the cancer that eventually killed her. We can all learn a lesson from her courage.