Billy Graham

1918–2018 · American (Charlotte, North Carolina) · 20th Century

Known for: America's pastor — preached to more people in person than anyone in history and counseled every president from Truman to Obama

Billy Graham was the most influential Christian evangelist of the 20th century. His crusades — massive revival meetings held in stadiums worldwide — drew an estimated 215 million people in person over six decades. He preached a simple message of salvation through Jesus Christ and was trusted by Americans across the political spectrum.

He served as spiritual counselor to every US president from Harry Truman to Barack Obama, earning the title 'America's Pastor.' He was remarkably scandal-free for a figure of his prominence — he established the 'Billy Graham Rule' of never being alone with a woman who wasn't his wife, specifically to avoid any appearance of impropriety.

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