Complex sentence: Between 1977 and 1989 he held sway over as many as 12 adults and 22 children, he had 26 children when he passed, fathering the other 4 during visits in prison from some of the "wives".
Split into simpler sentences: Between 1977 and 1989 had as many as 12 adults and 22 children followers. He had 26 children when he died, fathering the other 4 during visits in prison from some of his "wives".