Franklin Graham Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is Franklin Graham’s Net Worth?

With a net worth estimated at $10 million, Franklin Graham serves as an American Christian evangelist and missionary.

As the son of the renowned evangelist Billy Graham, Franklin holds prominent roles including president and chief operating officer of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, as well as leading the international Christian humanitarian organization known as Samaritan’s Purse. Additionally, he is the editor-in-chief of Decision magazine, published by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, which features timely articles offering a Biblical perspective. His gospel messages have reached every state in the U.S. and nearly 60 countries worldwide.

Early Years

William Franklin Graham III, known as Franklin, was born on July 14, 1952, in Asheville, North Carolina. He is the fourth of five children of the eminent American evangelist and Southern Baptist minister, William “Billy” Franklin Graham Jr., and his wife, the Christian author Ruth McCue (Bell). Raised in a log home within the Appalachian Mountains, Franklin attended the private Christian institution, Stony Brook School, located in New York. He subsequently studied at LeTourneau University—a private Christian university in Texas—as well as Montreat College in North Carolina from which he obtained an Associate degree, and Appalachian State University, where he secured a Bachelor of Arts degree.

In his youth, Franklin candidly acknowledges his rebellious behavior, which included smoking, drinking, fighting, and a general disregard for authority. His actions led to expulsion from boarding school, late nights out, and a consistent challenge to both the system and his parents. A pivotal moment occurred at 22 when he found himself alone in a hotel room in Jerusalem, prompting him to make a commitment to serving Jesus Christ. In 1982, he was ordained as a minister at Grace Community Church, located in Tempe, Arizona.

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

Founded by Billy Graham in 1950, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to Christian outreach. It organizes revival events and religious crusades, and it assists in large-scale disaster responses. Moreover, it manages the Billy Graham Training Center in Asheville and the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte. The library, which opened on June 5, 2007, presents a range of exhibits, photographs, and artifacts that portray the life and ministry of Billy Graham. Franklin took on the role of CEO in 2000 and became president in 2001.

Samaritan’s Purse

In 1970, Samaritan’s Purse was established by American Baptist minister Bob Pierce. This international Christian humanitarian organization delivers aid to those in need. Its various programs facilitate lodging for injured veterans, allow medical professionals to provide short-term services at overstressed missionary hospitals, support surgeries for children with congenital heart defects, ensure access to safe drinking water in developing nations, distribute educational materials and hygiene supplies to children abroad, offer disaster relief, and provide emergency assistance. Franklin Graham was appointed as chief…

In 1979, Franklin Graham took on the roles of both president and operating officer of the organization.

Religion, Politics & Controversy

Franklin Graham has been involved in numerous controversies due to his statements made in interviews and on social media. He supported a proposed ban on same-sex marriage in North Carolina in 2012. In response to President Obama’s statement opposing the ban, Franklin accused him of “shaking his fist at God.” Five years later, he spoke out against a bill intended to ban conversion therapy, labeling homosexuality as “an abomination of him” as defined by God.

In 2018, a petition with over 7,500 signatures was created to prevent Franklin from speaking at an event in Lancashire, England. A local church pastor, known for welcoming individuals of all sexual orientations, publicly contended that someone with Franklin’s history of hate speech should not be invited to speak in local churches.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Franklin suggested that Jesus Christ would endorse vaccination. Additionally, he has labeled Islam as an evil religion and commented on Barack Obama’s Muslim upbringing, questioning the former president’s claim to Christianity. Later, Franklin expressed regret for his statements, saying, “I regret any comments I have ever made which may have cast any doubt on the personal faith of our president, Mr. Obama. The president has said he is a Christian, and I accept that.”

Franklin’s intertwining of political and religious commentary has ruffled many feathers. Following Donald Trump’s win in the 2016 presidential election, Franklin told The Washington Post, “I could sense going across the country that God was going to do something this year. And I believe that, at this election, God showed up.”

In 2020, he openly disputed South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg’s self-description as a “gay Christian,” resulting in significant backlash and accusations of hypocrisy and selective criticism. That year, an eight-city tour in the United Kingdom planned by Franklin faced cancellations as every venue withdrew due to his perceived homophobia.

Franklin frequently shares his views and sometimes issues apologies for his remarks. According to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s website, he is described as someone addressing contemporary moral and social issues to encourage Christians to uphold Biblical values.

Finances & Salary

In 2009, Franklin Graham found himself embroiled in controversy when it became known that he was receiving a full-time salary from both Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. His combined income from these organizations was reported to be $1.2 million the previous year. Following the backlash, he volunteered to relinquish his salary from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, emphasizing that his ministry role wasn’t financially motivated. However, in 2015, it came to light that he had resumed taking a salary from both entities.

Books

Franklin Graham released his autobiography titled “Rebel with a Cause: Finally Comfortable Being A Graham” in 1995. He has authored several other works, including “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).

Accolades

He has been awarded honorary doctorates from several institutions, including LeTourneau University, Whitworth College, Toccoa Falls College, Lees-McRae College, Liberty University, and National University. In 2014, he received the Watchman Award from the Family Research Council and a William Booth Award from the Salvation Army.

Personal

Life

In 1974, Franklin Graham tied the knot with Jane Austin Cunningham. Together, they are parents to four children: William Franklin IV, Roy Austin, Edward Bell, and Jane Austin. The couple resides in Boone, North Carolina.

Franklin experienced successful heart surgery in November 2021 at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota to address the constrictive pericarditis that had troubled him for several months.