Billy Graham: Biography, Church, Sermons, Books, Net Worth & Family

Biography of Billy Graham

Billy Graham was one of the most influential Christian American evangelists of the 20th century. Born on November 7, 1918, in Charlotte, North Carolina, he grew up on a dairy farm during the Great Depression. His upbringing in a deeply religious household laid the foundation for his spiritual journey.

At the age of 16, after attending a revival meeting led by evangelist Mordecai Ham, Billy gave his life to Christ. This moment sparked a lifelong commitment to ministry. He pursued theological studies at Florida Bible Institute and later graduated from Wheaton College in Illinois, where he met his future wife, Ruth Bell.

Billy Graham began his public ministry in the 1940s. However, it was a tent revival in Los Angeles in 1949 that catapulted him into the national spotlight. Backed by media mogul William Randolph Hearst, Graham’s sermons began reaching mass audiences. Over the decades, he spoke to over 215 million people across 185 countries, making him one of the most widely heard Christian preachers in history.

Unlike many religious figures of his time, Graham remained free from major scandals and was respected across denominational and political lines. His message focused on salvation through Jesus Christ, and his gentle, humble demeanor won him admiration from Christians and non-Christians alike.

Billy Graham’s Age

Billy Graham was born on November 7, 1918, and passed away on February 21, 2018, at the age of 99.
He celebrated his birthday every November 7th, often quietly with his family at their home in Montreat, North Carolina.

Billy Graham’s Wife and Family

Billy married Ruth Bell Graham in 1943, a fellow believer and the daughter of Presbyterian missionaries who had served in China. Ruth was not only a supportive partner but also a strong spiritual force in her own right. She stayed mostly out of the spotlight but played a critical role in grounding their family while Billy traveled for ministry. They remained married for 64 years, until Ruth’s death in 2007.

Graham’s Children

Billy and Ruth Graham had five children, many of whom followed in their parents’ footsteps:

Franklin Graham – President of both Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA).
Anne Graham Lotz – A respected author and Bible teacher, founder of AnGeL Ministries.
Ruth Graham – An author and speaker known for her work in Christian counseling.
Gigi Graham – A writer who focuses on family and women’s spiritual growth.
Ned Graham – Involved in overseas ministry, particularly in China.

Billy Graham Church / Ministry

Though Billy Graham never led a local church, he founded the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) in 1950. Headquartered in Charlotte, the BGEA became a central hub for Christian outreach through radio, television, literature, and global crusades.

He pioneered mass media evangelism, beginning with the “Hour of Decision” radio broadcast, which aired for more than 60 years. His television specials reached millions, and his Crusade events often filled stadiums. One of his largest gatherings took place in Seoul, South Korea, in 1973, where he preached to over 1.1 million people in one event.

Moreover, the Billy Graham Library, opened in 2007, now serves as a museum and tribute to his legacy, drawing visitors from all over the world.

Billy Graham Popular Sermons

Billy Graham’s preaching style was straightforward, emotional, and deeply rooted in Scripture. His sermons often centered on repentance, salvation, and the love of God. Some of his most famous include:

“The Cross” – A televised message released in 2013, offering a powerful reflection on the meaning of the cross.
“Who Is Jesus?” – A deeply theological message explaining the identity and mission of Christ.
“Is the End of the World Near?” – A prophetic and thought-provoking sermon addressing global crises from a biblical perspective.
“God’s Love for You” – One of his most downloaded sermons, emphasizing the personal and unchanging love of God.

These sermons remain accessible today through the BGEA website, YouTube, and various Christian media outlets.

Billy Graham Books

Billy Graham was a prolific author who penned more than 30 books throughout his lifetime. His writings covered faith, hope, the Christian life, and global moral challenges. Some of his most notable works include:

Just As I Am (1997) – His bestselling autobiography, praised for its honesty and spiritual depth.
The Reason for My Hope: Salvation (2013) – One of his final works, urging readers to embrace the gospel.
Nearing Home (2011) – A heartfelt reflection on aging, purpose, and preparing for eternity.
Peace with God (1953) – An early classic that helped solidify his status as a trusted voice in evangelical literature.
Angels: God’s Secret Agents (1975) – A fascinating look at the biblical role of angels, told in accessible language.

Billy Graham Net Worth

At the time of his passing in 2018, Billy Graham had an estimated net worth of $25 million. Despite his global fame, he maintained a reputation for humility and integrity.

He lived modestly, and his salary from BGEA remained relatively small for someone of his stature. Most of his income came from his book royalties, public speaking engagements, and media content, rather than donations or extravagant ventures.

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Billy Graham Death

Billy Graham’s Peaceful Passing at Age 99

Reverend Billy Graham, one of the most influential Christian evangelists of the modern era, died on February 21, 2018, at the age of 99. He passed away peacefully at his home in Montreat, North Carolina, from natural causes, after battling Parkinson’s disease, prostate cancer, and other age-related conditions.

Often referred to as “America’s Pastor,” Graham’s death marked the end of a spiritual era. His funeral on March 2, 2018, held at the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina, was attended by thousands, including President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, religious leaders, dignitaries, and countless individuals whose lives he touched.

Early Life and Humble Beginnings

William Franklin Graham Jr. was born on November 7, 1918, on a dairy farm just outside Charlotte, North Carolina. Raised in a devout Presbyterian household, Graham’s life changed at age 16 when he made a personal commitment to Christ during a revival meeting led by evangelist Mordecai Ham in 1934.

He pursued theological education at Bob Jones College, Florida Bible Institute, and finally Wheaton College, where he met his wife Ruth Bell Graham. The couple married in 1943 and began their lifelong partnership in ministry. His early preaching began in small churches and on radio programs, laying the groundwork for what would become an unprecedented international evangelistic mission.

Spiritual Advisor to U.S. Presidents

Throughout his life, Billy Graham advised twelve U.S. presidents, beginning with Harry Truman and continuing through Barack Obama. He prayed with them, offered counsel in moments of national crisis, and provided a spiritual voice during turbulent times, including wars, civil rights struggles, and political scandals.

His relationships were especially strong with Dwight D. Eisenhower, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Richard Nixon. He was present during major historical moments and frequently appeared at National Prayer Breakfasts and White House services, bridging the gap between faith and public life.

A Nonpartisan Voice in a Divided World

Though Graham was close to world leaders, he remained publicly nonpartisan. He believed that the message of Christ transcended politics and refused to endorse political candidates, instead emphasizing unity, morality, and spiritual renewal.

After expressing regret over his political involvement during the Nixon administration, Graham became more cautious, stating:

“Evangelists cannot be closely identified with any particular party or person.”

While his son Franklin Graham would later take a more politically outspoken role, Billy Graham consistently focused on preaching the gospel to all people, regardless of political background.

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA)

In 1950, Billy Graham founded the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) to expand his ministry’s reach through crusades, radio, television, and later, digital media. The BGEA’s flagship radio program, The Hour of Decision, aired weekly for over 50 years.

The BGEA became a global platform for Christian evangelism, organizing large-scale events, distributing literature, and engaging in humanitarian outreach. Today, under the leadership of Franklin Graham, the association continues to operate with a strong digital presence and rapid response teams for global disasters.

Global Crusades That Reached Millions

Billy Graham’s crusades were unprecedented in scale and impact. From the late 1940s through the early 2000s, he preached to over 210 million people in more than 185 countries and territories. His simple, direct messages of salvation, forgiveness, and hope in Jesus Christ drew crowds of unprecedented size.

Among the most historic was his 1973 crusade in Seoul, South Korea, where over 1.1 million people attended a single service—one of the largest religious gatherings in history. He also held notable crusades in New York City, London, Moscow, and Johannesburg, reaching diverse audiences across cultural and political divides.

Through these events, Graham helped ignite spiritual revivals and influenced countless lives, from heads of state to everyday people seeking faith and direction.

Billy Graham Fun Facts & Trivia

Billy Graham appeared on Gallup’s list of Most Admired Men a record 61 times.
He met with every U.S. President from Harry Truman to Barack Obama.
His crusades often featured famous musicians, including Johnny Cash and George Beverly Shea.
He once turned down a Hollywood movie role to focus on ministry.
His message was translated in real-time into dozens of languages during international events.