William Franklin Graham III, widely known as Franklin Graham, is a prominent American evangelist and missionary, serving as the president and CEO of both the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief organization. Born on July 14, 1952, in Asheville, North Carolina, he is the fourth of five children of the renowned evangelist Billy Graham and Ruth Graham.
Raised in a deeply religious environment, Franklin’s upbringing was marked by his family’s commitment to Christian ministry. The Grahams resided in a log home in the Appalachian Mountains, near Asheville. As Billy Graham’s prominence grew, the family sought greater privacy, leading them to build a secluded residence named Little Piney Cove in Montreat, North Carolina. During his father’s frequent absences due to preaching commitments, Franklin’s mother, Ruth, played a pivotal role in managing the household and overseeing the construction of their home. Despite these efforts, the family occasionally faced intrusions from strangers, including death threats directed at Billy Graham, prompting the installation of security measures around their property.
Franklin’s early education included attendance at The Stony Brook School, a Christian private institution on Long Island, New York. However, he faced challenges conforming to the school’s regulations and was expelled during his senior year. In his autobiography, “Rebel with a Cause,” Franklin reflects on this period of rebellion and personal struggle. At the age of 22, during a trip to Jerusalem, he experienced a profound spiritual awakening, committing his life to Jesus Christ while alone in a hotel room.
This pivotal moment led Franklin to embrace his calling in Christian ministry. In 1979, following the death of Bob Pierce, the founder of Samaritan’s Purse, Franklin was elected as the organization’s president. Under his leadership, Samaritan’s Purse expanded significantly, providing emergency assistance in crisis zones worldwide, including responses to conflicts and natural disasters in regions like Ukraine and Pakistan. The organization has become a leading global Christian relief entity, with private donations exceeding $1 billion.
In 1982, Franklin was ordained, marking the formal beginning of his evangelistic career. He conducted his first evangelistic event in 1989 and has since preached in over 325 outreaches across all 50 U.S. states and territories, as well as in more than 55 countries, including Mexico, Poland, Vietnam, Italy, and the United Kingdom. In 2000, he was appointed CEO of the BGEA, and in 2001, he assumed the role of president, succeeding his father.
Throughout his ministry, Franklin has been known for his forthright views on social and political issues, often engaging in public discourse on topics such as same-sex marriage and foreign aid. In 2012, both he and his father endorsed North Carolina Amendment 1, a measure to ban same-sex marriage in the state, and criticized President Obama’s support for same-sex marriage. More recently, in February 2025, Franklin expressed support for President Trump’s decision to pause foreign aid for a comprehensive review of policies and expenditures. Despite Samaritan’s Purse being owed $13 million by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Franklin advocated for the pause, emphasizing the need for accountability and efficiency in aid distribution.
Franklin’s personal life includes his marriage to Jane Austin Cunningham in 1974, with whom he has four children. His family continues the legacy of Christian service, with his children actively involved in various ministries and humanitarian efforts.
As of March 13, 2025, there have been no credible reports or official announcements regarding Franklin Graham’s passing. Recent news articles, including a February 2025 interview with TIME magazine, indicate that he remains active in his roles with the BGEA and Samaritan’s Purse.
In summary, Franklin Graham’s life has been characterized by a deep commitment to evangelism and humanitarian work. From his early years marked by personal challenges to his transformative spiritual awakening and subsequent leadership in global Christian organizations, Franklin has continued the legacy of his father while forging his own path in ministry. His influence extends beyond the pulpit, impacting social and political spheres, and his work through Samaritan’s Purse has provided critical aid to millions worldwide.