Is Lindsey Graham Related to Billy Graham?
If you’re curious about the connection between these two notable Grahams, you might be surprised to find out that they aren’t linked by blood.
Lindsey Graham, the senior senator from South Carolina, and Billy Graham, the late evangelist and preacher, share a surname but don’t have any known familial ties.
Nevertheless, they do share some commonalities in terms of their faith, politics, and influence.
Below is a concise overview of who they are and their accomplishments.
Who is Lindsey Graham?
Lindsey Graham is a lawyer and politician who secured a Republican seat in the U.S. Senate in 2002, representing South Carolina starting the following year.
Prior to this, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003.
Within the Senate, Graham is recognized for:
- Advocacy of robust national defense
- Interventionist foreign policy
- Bipartisan collaboration on issues like immigration reform and judicial appointments.
He was also a close confidant and ally of the late Sen. John McCain, although they sometimes clashed with President Donald Trump.
Graham ran for president in 2016, but withdrew prior to the primaries.
He was reelected for a fourth term in 2020.
Lindsey Graham’s Early Life
Born in 1955 in Central, South Carolina, to parents who owned a pool hall, bar, and liquor store, Lindsey Graham’s journey began.
He became the first in his family to attend college, enrolling at the University of South Carolina.
There, he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1977 and a law degree in 1981.
Subsequently, he joined the Air Force as a military lawyer, serving in Germany and the U.S. until 1988.
Following this, he returned to South Carolina, working as a county and city attorney.
Additionally, he joined the Air National Guard and served during the Gulf War.
In 1992, he was elected to the state House of Representatives, and in 1994, to the U.S. House of Representatives.
My statement on the congressional delegation meeting with Egyptian President El-Sisi: pic.twitter.com/Ni0efYwJb2
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) August 31, 2023
Lindsey Graham’s Net Worth
Various sources estimate Lindsey Graham’s net worth to be between $1 million and $2 million as of 2021.
The majority of his wealth derives from his congressional salary, which starts at $174,000 per year, and his investment portfolio.
He also holds properties in South Carolina and Washington, D.C., which have mortgages.
Apart from these mortgages, he has no other debts and does not have dependents.
Who was Billy Graham?
Billy Graham was an American evangelist and preacher, often hailed as “America’s pastor”.
He was born on a dairy farm near Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1918.
His life’s dedication was to spreading Christianity and aiding humanity.
Graham conducted large-scale preaching missions, known as crusades, worldwide, reaching millions through radio, television, literature, and magazines.
Furthermore, he formed close connections with and provided counsel to numerous U.S. presidents and global leaders on spiritual matters.
His sincerity, modesty, and compassion earned him respect across various faiths and backgrounds.
He passed away in 2018 at the age of 99.
Billy Graham’s Early Life
Billy Graham grew up in rural North Carolina during the Great Depression, learning the value of hard work on the family farm.
He was an avid reader and attended a revival meeting led by evangelist Mordecai Ham in 1934, which sparked a life-altering religious experience.
This pivotal moment led him to pursue a career in preaching.
He initially enrolled at Bob Jones College (now University) but transferred to Florida Bible Institute (now Trinity College) due to the strictness at Bob Jones.
He graduated in 1940, becoming ordained by the Southern Baptist Convention.
Following this, he attended Wheaton College in Illinois, where he met and married Ruth Bell, the daughter of a missionary, in 1943.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwnyN-MpMnO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Billy Graham’s Net Worth
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Billy Graham’s net worth was $25 million at the time of his passing in 2018.
This placed him among the wealthiest pastors in America, although he could have amassed significantly more wealth if he had accepted many lucrative offers over his career.
His wealth stemmed from his role as president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), founded in 1950, as well as from book royalties, real estate holdings, and contributions from supporters.
He also managed two non-profit organizations: Samaritan’s Purse, providing global humanitarian aid, and BGEA, continuing his evangelistic work through various media platforms.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1aolCuQnhZM
Conclusion
Lindsey Graham and Billy Graham are distinguished individuals who share a surname, but not familial ties.
Their backgrounds, careers, and personalities vary, yet they also exhibit commonalities in terms of faith, politics, and influence.
Both are influential leaders who have left a mark on millions worldwide through their words and deeds.
