Rev. Billy Graham, the renowned US Christian televangelist whose worldwide crusades and role as adviser to decades of U.S. presidents made him one of the best known religious figures of his time, died Wednesday at age 99 at his home in Montreat, N.C.
Rev. Graham has been in ill health for a number of years, was regularly listed in polls as one of the “Ten Most Admired Men in the World.”
He was said to have preached to more people in live audiences than anyone else in history. He visited several African countries.
According to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, his lifetime audience was put at nearly 215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories, with “hundreds of millions more” viewing him on television, video, film and webcasts.
“My one purpose in life,” he said, “is to help people find a personal relationship with God, which, I believe, comes through knowing Christ.”
Former U.S. Presidents George H. W. Bush, left, and Bill Clinton, Billy Graham, and former President Jimmy Carter stand together. Graham was a spiritual adviser to each of the men. (Reuters)
They married in August 1943 and had five children, 19 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. Ruth Graham died in June 2007 after 64 years of marriage.
In 1950, Graham founded the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, based in Minneapolis, Minn. until it relocated to Charlotte in 2003. Through the BGEA he conducted his weekly “Hour of Decision” radio program and published “Decision” Magazine as well as producing television programs for Christian networks.
In addition, Graham wrote 33 books, including his autobiography “Just As I Am.” His last book, “Where I Am: Heaven, Eternity, And Our Life Beyond The Now” was published in 2015.
He and his wife were both awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1966. His last crusade was in 2004. His elder son, Franklin, has long been expected to succeed his father as head of his ministry.
