Billy Graham’s Net Worth (The Estate)
Rev. Billy Graham, born William Franklin Graham Jr. on November 7, 1918, in Charlotte, North Carolina, was a renowned American evangelist and Christian minister. He was a member of the Southern Baptist Convention and is widely regarded as one of the most influential preachers of the 20th century
Billy Graham attended Sharon High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he graduated in 1936. After high school, he initially attended Bob Jones College in Cleveland, Tennessee, but he found the coursework and rules too legalistic and left after one semester. He then transferred to the Florida Bible Institute (now Trinity College of Florida) near Tampa, where he graduated in 1940. Convinced that his education was still lacking, Graham continued his studies at Wheaton College in Illinois, where he majored in anthropology and graduated in 1943.
Graham was known for his large-scale evangelistic crusades, which were held in stadiums and arenas around the world. He also had a close relationship with several U.S. presidents and provided spiritual counsel to them. As the most recognizable religious figure, second only to the Pope, Billy Graham was considered the spiritual advisor to every US President from Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama. His ministry reached millions of people through radio, television, and print media.
What is Billy Graham’s net worth?
William Franklin “Billy” Graham passed away in 2018 after living a very long life of serving God and humanity. Up until his passing, he amassed a massive net worth of over $25 million. While the exact current value of his estate has not been disclosed publicly, it is safe to say that with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and Samaratan’s Purse organizations thriving and helping people during national disasters and other humanitarian crises, it is safe to say the estate net worth is still extremely substantial.
How did he earn his net worth?
Billy Graham built his net worth through a combination of his ministry work, book royalties, and speaking engagements.
Here’s a breakdown of how he accumulated his wealth:
Ministry Work – Graham’s large-scale evangelistic crusades, which were held in stadiums and arenas around the world, generated significant revenue. These events attracted millions of attendees and donations.
Book Royalties – Graham was a prolific author, writing numerous books, including his autobiography, “Just As I Am.” The royalties from his books contributed significantly to his net worth.
Speaking Engagements – Graham was in high demand as a speaker and was paid well for his appearances at various events, conferences, and churches.
Media Outreach – His ministry utilized radio, television, and print media to reach a global audience and generate substantial income.
Real Estate Holdings – Graham invested in real estate, which became part of his estate
Despite his wealth, Graham was known for his integrity and humility, often turning down opportunities to earn more money to maintain his moral and financial principles. It’s impressive how he built such a substantial legacy while staying true to his values.
What kinds of things does he spend his money on?
Billy Graham was known for his modest lifestyle and dedication to his ministry. He spent his money primarily on supporting his evangelical work and helping those in need. Here are some key areas where he allocated his funds:
Ministry Work – A significant portion of his income went towards the operations of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), which organized large-scale evangelistic events and media outreach.
Humanitarian Efforts – Graham supported various humanitarian initiatives through his ministry, providing aid to those affected by disasters and other crises.
Family and Personal Needs – While he lived modestly, he did provide for his family’s needs and ensured they were taken care of.
Real Estate – Graham invested in real estate, which became part of his estate and was later distributed among his children.
Home and cars – It was said that Billy and his wife lived a fairly humble life and it showed with the fact that they didn’t live in a large luxury home and drive expensive cars. The home would be considered extremely modest for a person with such a high net worth. Billy Graham’s home was located in Montreat, North Carolina, about two hours west of Charlotte.
He and his wife, Ruth, bought the home in the 1940s, and it became their family residence for many years. Billy Graham’s home in Montreat, North Carolina, is a charming cottage located at 198 Mississippi Road. The house is approximately 2,564 square feet, with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It has been used as a vacation rental, allowing guests to experience the Graham family’s life through original furnishings, books, photos, and mementos.
He did own several cars including a car that he frequently chauffeured. At one point it was falsely believed that he owned an expensive 1966 Rolls-Royce Phantom V limousine. It was later shown that there was no evidence to substantiate the claims.
Graham’s spending habits reflected his commitment to using his resources for the greater good and maintaining a humble lifestyle.
Final Thoughts
The Rev Billy Graham has to be the most important American religious figure of our time. His amazing crusades attracted thousands of people to fill large sports venues all across the country, such as football stadiums, basketball arenas, and baseball stadiums. It is not surprising that he was able to amass such a large net worth. He and his wife lived very humble lives and preferred to use their wealth for good. One of his legacy organizations, Samaritan’s Purse is currently helping the people of North Carolina and Georgia recover from Hurricane Helene.