Billy Graham's Legacy: A Daughter's Reflection And A Life Well-Lived

In her early 40s, Ruth Graham, daughter of the legendary Rev. Billy Graham, found herself at a crossroads in her marriage. After just five weeks, she made the difficult decision to leave her husband amid marital struggles. "I fled," Ruth reveals to Closer Weekly, describing her emotional two-day drive to visit her parents, who had warned her against the marriage. "I was full of shame and regret," she recalls. Pulling into her parents' driveway after that long, emotional journey, Ruth expected a lecture or stern words. Instead, she found her father waiting for her with open arms. "When I got out of the car, he just wrapped his arms around me and said, ‘Welcome home.’" Those simple words changed her life, reminding her of God's grace, a lesson her father exemplified throughout his life.

Ruth, now 67, remembers her dad as a man who was a force for good, embodying the principles he preached for over six decades. His ministry touched the lives of over 200 million people across 185 countries. "He was such an illustration to me of God’s wonderful grace," she says, reflecting on the profound influence her father had on her life. Televangelist Joel Osteen, another influential figure in modern Christianity, shares a similar sentiment. "There are so many people who wouldn’t have received the message of Christ if he hadn’t been a pioneer on radio and television," Joel tells Closer. Billy Graham, who passed away at the age of 99 in February 2018, left an indelible mark on the world, not only as a preacher but as a spiritual advisor to 12 U.S. presidents, from Harry S. Truman to Barack Obama.

Ruth speaking at Billy’s funeral.

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Billy Graham: A Man Who Changed Millions of Lives

Billy Graham's impact on the world cannot be overstated. His ministry reached millions, bringing the message of Christ to people of all walks of life. "There are so many people who wouldn’t have received the message of Christ if he hadn’t been a pioneer on radio and television," Joel Osteen says, highlighting Graham's groundbreaking work. Terry Whalin, author of Billy Graham: A Biography of America’s Greatest Evangelist, adds, "Billy’s entire life was lived with integrity, honesty, and kindness. I don’t know of anyone else who can match his influence." From his early days as a farm boy in North Carolina, Billy's journey to becoming one of the most influential religious leaders of the 20th century was nothing short of remarkable.

Billy's path to Christianity began at the age of 15, after spending his childhood on his family farm outside of Charlotte, NC. He was a playful child, known for playing sports and pulling pranks, but his parents, devout Presbyterians, instilled in him a deep love for prayer and the Bible. "He was going to be a baseball player and when he was a kid he met his idol, Babe Ruth," Whalin tells Closer. It was this upbringing that shaped Billy into the man he would become—a man who would touch the lives of millions across the globe.