About

Billy Graham
(1918–2018)

Billy Graham was an American evangelist, prominent Christian leader, and one of the most influential religious figures of the 20th century. Born on November 7, 1918, near Charlotte, North Carolina, he grew up on a dairy farm before committing his life to Christian ministry at age 16. He studied at Florida Bible Institute and later earned a degree in anthropology from Wheaton College in Illinois, where he also met his wife, Ruth Bell Graham.

Graham began preaching in the 1940s and quickly rose to national prominence through his involvement with Youth for Christ. His breakthrough moment came during the 1949 Los Angeles Crusade — an extended revival event that drew widespread media attention and launched him into the national spotlight. Over the following decades, Graham preached the Christian gospel to live audiences of nearly 215 million people across more than 185 countries and territories, making him one of the most widely heard evangelists in history.

He founded the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) in 1950, which organized large-scale evangelistic events known as “crusades,” distributed Christian literature, and produced radio and television programs, including the long-running “Hour of Decision.” Graham became known for his clear, simple preaching style focused on salvation through Jesus Christ, as well as his commitment to racial integration within his crusades.

Throughout his career, he served as a spiritual advisor to multiple U.S. presidents, beginning with Harry Truman and continuing through Barack Obama. Despite global fame, Graham maintained a reputation for integrity, humility, and avoidance of political partisanship, focusing primarily on evangelism.

Billy Graham passed away on February 21, 2018, at age 99. His legacy continues through the BGEA, the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, and the influential work of his children, including Franklin Graham and Anne Graham Lotz.

www.billygraham.org