Billy Graham, American preacher with direct line to the White House, dies aged 99
Billy Graham, the Christian evangelist who preached to more than 200 million people in 185 countries and became the confidant of every US president from Harry Truman to George W Bush, died at his home in North Carolina yesterday. He was 99.
Graham had reduced his public appearances in the 1990s after developing Parkinson’s disease. He also suffered from hydrocephaly, or water on the brain, and prostate cancer.
Graham gave sermons with a rapid-fire delivery that earned him the nickname “God’s machine gun”.
His ability to publicise his mission for half a century through all forms of media – radio, television, movies and the internet – helped to make him one of the most influential evangelists in history.
Graham helped shape a movement representing an estimated 60 million Americans who consider themselves “born again”.
A Southern Baptist, Graham followed fundamentalist theology that personal salvation comes through faith in Christ. He co-operated with, instead of condemned, other churches.
Graham’s preaching, whether from small churches or stadiums, remained the bread and butter of his ministry.
One gathering in 1957, at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, drew more than 2.5 million people from mid-May to Labour Day in September.
He wrote about three dozen books. The 800,000-copy first edition of How to Be Born Again (1977) was said to be the largest initial printing in publishing history at the time.
Graham published his memoir, Just As I Am, in 1997.
Ruth Bell Graham, his wife of more than 60 years and most trusted adviser, died in June 2007. They had five children.