Net Worth Ranker
What Is Franklin Graham’s Net Worth?
Franklin Graham, a prominent American Christian evangelist and missionary, has accumulated a net worth of approximately $10 million. This figure reflects his decades-long involvement in religious and humanitarian work, primarily through his leadership roles in the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and Samaritan’s Purse.
Early Life and Education
William Franklin Graham III was born on July 14, 1952, in Asheville, North Carolina. He is the fourth of five children born to the renowned evangelist Billy Graham and his wife, Ruth McCue Bell, a Christian author. Franklin was raised in a log home located in the Appalachian Mountains. For his education, Franklin attended the private Christian school Stony Brook School in New York. He later enrolled at LeTourneau University, a private Christian university in Texas. He also attended Montreat College in North Carolina, where he earned an Associate degree. Finally, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Appalachian State University.
During his youth, Graham admits to being rebellious, engaging in activities such as smoking, drinking, and fighting. He was expelled from boarding school and often challenged authority. However, at the age of 22, while in a hotel room in Jerusalem, he decided to dedicate his life to serving Jesus Christ. In 1982, he was ordained as a minister at Grace Community Church in Tempe, Arizona.
Leadership Roles and Income
Franklin Graham holds significant leadership positions in two major Christian organizations: the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and Samaritan’s Purse. He became the CEO of the BGEA in 2000 and its president in 2001. In 1979, he assumed the roles of president and chief operating officer of Samaritan’s Purse. These roles have been instrumental in his career and, consequently, in shaping his financial standing.
In 2008, Franklin Graham’s combined income from Samaritan’s Purse and the BGEA totaled $1.2 million. This revelation led to controversy, prompting him to voluntarily relinquish his salary from the BGEA. He stated that his involvement in the ministry was not motivated by financial gain. However, in 2015, he resumed drawing a salary from both organizations.
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA)
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, founded in 1950 by Billy Graham, is a non-profit Christian outreach organization. It conducts revival meetings and religious crusades and offers assistance during large-scale disasters. The association also oversees the Billy Graham Training Center in Asheville and the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte. The library, opened on June 5, 2007, features presentations, pictures, and artifacts documenting Billy Graham’s life and ministry. As CEO and president, Franklin Graham plays a crucial role in the BGEA’s operations and strategic direction, but his compensation from the BGEA is not publicly disclosed.
Samaritan’s Purse
Samaritan’s Purse, founded in 1970 by Bob Pierce, is an international Christian humanitarian organization that provides aid to people in physical need. The organization runs various programs, including providing lodging for wounded veterans, enabling doctors to serve at missionary hospitals, facilitating surgery for children with heart defects, providing safe drinking water in developing countries, offering educational and hygiene supplies to children overseas, providing disaster relief, and rendering emergency aid. As president and chief operating officer, Franklin Graham oversees these initiatives, contributing to the organization’s global impact.
While specific details about Franklin Graham’s current salary from Samaritan’s Purse are not publicly available, it is a significant factor in his overall financial picture. The organization’s financial reports provide insights into its overall operations and expenses, but individual compensation details are not typically disclosed.
Religion, Politics & Controversy
Franklin Graham’s outspoken views on social and political issues have generated considerable controversy. In 2012, he supported a proposed North Carolina ban on same-sex marriage. He criticized President Obama’s stance against the ban, accusing him of defying God. In 2017, he voiced strong opposition to a bill proposing a ban on conversion therapy, asserting that homosexuality is a sin. These statements have led to petitions and protests, including one that garnered over 7,500 signatures seeking to prevent him from speaking at an event in Lancashire, England, in 2018.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Franklin Graham suggested that Jesus Christ would encourage people to get vaccinated. He has also made controversial remarks about Islam, describing it as an evil and wicked religion, and questioned Barack Obama’s Christian faith. Although he later apologized for casting doubt on Obama’s faith, his comments have sparked considerable debate.
Franklin Graham’s blending of politics and religion has drawn criticism. After Donald Trump’s victory in the 2016 presidential election, Graham stated that he believed God had intervened. In 2020, he questioned the possibility of South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg being a “gay Christian,” leading to accusations of hypocrisy and bigotry. These controversies have impacted his public image and have led to disruptions of his events, such as the cancellation of his eight-city United Kingdom tour in 2020 due to his views on homosexuality.
Finances & Salary
In 2009, scrutiny arose regarding Franklin Graham’s receipt of full-time salaries from both Samaritan’s Purse and the BGEA. His combined income from these organizations in the previous year amounted to $1.2 million. This sparked considerable controversy, prompting him to voluntarily forgo his salary from the BGEA, asserting that his involvement in the ministry was not driven by monetary gain. However, in 2015, it came to light that he had resumed collecting a salary from both entities.
Information regarding the precise salaries Franklin Graham receives from Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is not readily accessible. While financial details pertaining to both organizations are subject to public disclosure, specific information concerning individual compensation is often withheld. However, it is understood that his financial well-being is significantly influenced by his roles within these organizations.
Books
Franklin Graham has authored several books, including his autobiography, “Rebel with a Cause: Finally Comfortable Being A Graham,” published in 1995. Other titles include “Living Beyond the Limits” (1998), “It’s Who You Know” (2002), “Operation Christmas Child: A Story of Simple Gifts” (2013), “The Loom of Heaven,” “Rocks, Dirty Birds, and Briars” (2016), and “Through My Father’s Eyes” (2018). While sales figures for these books are not publicly available, they have likely contributed to his overall income.
Accolades
Franklin Graham has received several honorary doctorates from institutions such as LeTourneau University, Whitworth College, Toccoa Falls College, Lees-McRae College, Liberty University, and National University. In 2014, he was honored with the Watchman Award by the Family Research Council and the William Booth Award by the Salvation Army. These accolades recognize his contributions to religious and humanitarian causes, although they do not directly impact his net worth.
Personal Life
Franklin Graham married Jane Austin Cunningham in 1974. They have four children: William Franklin IV, Roy Austin, Edward Bell, and Jane Austin. Franklin and his wife reside in Boone, North Carolina. In November 2021, Franklin underwent successful heart surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota to address constrictive pericarditis, a condition he had been experiencing for several months.
