Jerry Falwell Jr. resigned as president of Liberty University after several personal scandals. Meet the Falwell family, popular televangelists and founders of a mega church.

Debanjali BoseAug 27, 2020, 21:28 IST

In this Nov. 16, 2016, file photo, Liberty University president Jerry Falwell Jr., poses during an interview in his offices at the school in Lynchburg, Va.Associated Press

Jerry Falwell Jr. resigned from his post as president of Liberty University on August 25.
In a Reuters report dated August 24, a former business associate of Falwell Jr. said he had a sexual affair with Falwell Jr. and his wife Becki. A lawyer for the couple told Reuters that they "categorically [deny]" it.
The move comes after Falwell Jr. took an extended leave of absence in early August after he posted and later deleted an Instagram photo of himself and a woman with their pants unzipped.
Falwell Jr.'s father, Rev. Jerry Falwell Sr., started the Christian university in 1971. He was a popular televangelist and the head of a conservative political lobbying group.
Falwell Sr. played a crucial role in getting Ronald Reagan elected.

Jerry Falwell Jr. resigned as the president of Liberty University on August 25.

The past few weeks have been tumultuous for the evangelical leader. At the beginning of the month, Falwell Jr. took a leave of absence from his post at the university days after he posted and deleted an Instagram photo of himself and a woman with both of their pants unzipped and his arm around her. In a statement to a local Virginia radio station, Falwell Jr. said that the woman was his wife's assistant and the picture was a good-natured, but misleading, joke and apologized for it.

On August 24, Reuters published a report in which a business associate of Falwell Jr.'s claimed to have been involved in a three-way sexual affair with Falwell Jr. and his wife. Falwell denied the claim.

A representative from Liberty University did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment on this story.

Meet the Falwells.

Jerry Laymon Falwell Sr. was a Baptist preacher and educator who was deeply involved with conservative politics.

Reverend Jerry Falwell poses for a portrait circa 1980. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Falwell Sr. was a founder of the conservative group Moral Majority.

Evangelist Jerry Falwell, founder of the "Moral Majority," greets GOP presidential candidate Ronald Reagan as he arrives to address the National Religious Broadcasters in Lynchburg, Virginia. Bettmann/Getty Images

Falwell Sr. founded Liberty University in 1971.

Students mingle on the campus lawn at Liberty University. Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images

Many university employees spoke fondly of him in a 2019 Politico story.

Jerry Falwell gestures while speaking at the Justice Sunday III rally on January 8, 2006 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sponsored by the Family Research Council, the rally was held one day before the start of confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito. Photo by Jeff Fusco/Getty Images

Beyond organizing religious conservatives, Falwell Sr. was also critical of Democrats, especially Bill Clinton.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton speaks during the funeral service of the late Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) at Ebenezer Baptist Church on July 30, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia. Alyssa Pointer-Pool/Getty Images

Falwell Sr. had a widely followed television show called "Old Time Gospel Hour."

TV evangelist and religious right leader the Reverend Jerry Falwell relaxes by the pool in the backyard of his Lynchburg, VA, home and reads the Bible. Falwell and the religious right were factors in the 1980 Presidential election. Wally McNamee/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

Falwell Sr. attracted media attention over the years for controversial comments on topics like sexual orientation, apartheid, feminism, and the 9/11 attacks.

Craig F. Walker / Getty Images

Jerry Falwell Jr. took over the reins for the university after his father's death in 2007.

Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr., attends the school's commencement ceremonies in Lynchburg, Virginia, U.S., May 11, 2019. Reuters/Jonathan Drake

Falwell Jr. has two younger siblings, Jeannie and Jonathan Falwell.

Jeannie Falwell, daughter of Rev. Jerry Falwell speaks during the funeral for her father, Rev. Jerry Falwell, as her brother Jonathan applauds at the Thomas Road Baptist Church May 22, 2007 in Lynchburg, Virginia. Steve Helber-Pool/Getty Images

According to insiders at LU, Falwell Jr.'s tenure at the school was very different from his father's.

Students attend a class at Liberty University's Center for Medical and Health Sciences. Matt McClain/ The Washington Post via Getty Images

Falwell Jr. was an early supporter of President Trump's 2016 bid.

U.S. President Donald Trump (L) and Jerry Falwell (R), President of Liberty University, pose for photos with members of gospel choir Lu Praise during a commencement at Liberty University May 13, 2017 in Lynchburg, Virginia. Alex Wong/Getty Images

On August 25, Falwell Jr. stepped down from his post as president of Liberty University.

Becki Tilley, wife of Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr., stands up as her husband refers to her dress style, matching the school's nickname the "Flames," during commencement ceremonies in Lynchburg, Virginia, May 11, 2019. Jonathan Drake/Reuters

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