One of the most well-known Christian evangelists of the 20th century. Attended Bob Jones University in South Carolina for one year, then transferred to Florida Bible Institute. Worked as a Fuller Brush salesman to pay his way through college before his call into the ministry. Children: sons Franklin Graham and Ned and daughters Bunny, Gigi and Anne. Has given prayer at inauguration of every U. S. President since Harry S. Truman. However, due to ill health he was unable to attend George W. Bush's first inauguration in 2001. Met his wife Ruth during seminary training at Wheaton College. Served as president of Northwestern College in Illinois from 1946 to 1949. At age 28, he was the youngest sitting college president at the time. When he was a young boy, his father cured him of drinking alcohol by bringing home a bottle of beer and making him drink every drop. His father then told him, "If anyone ever tries to make you drink, tell them you've already tried it and you didn't like it!" Harry S. Truman called him a "counterfeit" and publicity seeker. Singer Pat Boone considers him "the greatest man since Jesus". Has Parkinson's disease, prostate cancer, fluid on the brain and uses a walker due to a pelvic fracture in 2004. He has also been hospitalized with pneumonia, which has damaged his lungs. He was close friends with Johnny Cash. Billy Graham Museum in Charlotte, N.C. is dedicated on May 31, 2007. Apologized for his opinions on Jewish people and the news media, recorded on tape during conversations with President Richard Nixon at the White House thirty years ago. (3 March 2002). Awarded an honorary knighthood by the British government in the New Years Honours List of 2002. Is a registered Democrat, although he was considered politically conservative and was a close friend of Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.
