Billy Graham Among Most Admired 56th Time

Another Top 10 Finish For Mr. Graham at Age 94

January 2, 2013 - In 1946, a Gallup survey began asking Americans to name the one person they admire most living in any part of the world. Billy Graham has made the Top 10 list more than any other person in history.

Billy Graham Among Most Admired 56th Time

Billy Graham tied for third in this year’s voting, along with Mitt Romney, George W. Bush and Pope Benedict XVI.

By Trevor Freeze

For the 56th time since 1955, Billy Graham has made the USA Today/Gallup Top 10 list of Most Admired Men in the World.

Mr. Graham tied for third in this year’s voting, along with presidential candidate Mitt Romney, former President George W. Bush and Pope Benedict XVI. President Obama topped the list, followed by Nelson Mandela.

According to Gallup, the survey began in 1946 and simply asks Americans an open-ended question to name, without prompting, the most admired person living in any part of the world. This year's survey took place Dec. 19-22.

The founder of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in 1950, Mr. Graham was one of three in this year’s Top 10 without ties to the U.S. government or politics.

After releasing his 30th book, Nearing Home, in October of 2011, Mr. Graham is currently working on his 32nd book, expected to be released this year.

He also has a burning passion to reach this country for Christ and is championing My Hope with Billy Graham, a nationwide outreach to be held in November 2013, in conjunction with his 95th birthday on Nov. 7. Find out more about how to get involved with My Hope.

“Only the Gospel, God’s Good News, has the power to change lives, heal hearts, and restore a nation,” Mr. Graham wrote in a recent letter. “It is my passionate, heartfelt desire to see God change hearts and lives in every community in America, and I pray He will stir the same desire in you.”

Mr. Graham, who has proclaimed the Gospel in 185 countries to nearly 215 million people, stands alone in number of years in Gallup’s Top 10. Second to his 56 years is Ronald Reagan (31 times), Pope John Paul II (27 times) and former President Jimmy Carter (27 times).

Most Top 10 Finishes for Most Admired Man

1. Billy Graham (56)

2. Ronald Reagan (31)

3. Pope John Paul II (27)

4. Jimmy Carter (27)

5. Dwight Eisenhower (21)

6. Richard Nixon (21)

7. Bill Clinton (21)

8. Harry Truman (20)

9. Nelson Mandela (20)

10. George H.W. Bush (20)

28 Comments

bobby says 4.12.2013, 12:02 a.m.

billy graham is difinetly the most important person in the world..he continues bringing thousands of people to christ

Prakash says 1.21.2013, 05:00 a.m.

Mr.Graham is 1 of the mighty man of God who served the people by the will of God Jesus.He is very precious to the world bcoz the people of the world heard the good news through him in different parts of the world.

Stephanie says 1.21.2013, 02:36 a.m.

I have loved his preaching my whole life... In a documentary he was asked how did he never cheat on his wife and he said he would not allow that take place... He would even make sure his office door was kept open when his secretary was in with there

wilson says 1.13.2013, 09:01 a.m.

i ve just bought NEARING HOME, and its good news to know that he is the most admired man anywhere in the world. great read. God bless him.

matthew says 1.8.2013, 08:27 a.m.

i,ve watched my mom and dad watched dr billy graham ministries on television time and time again ,both being tremendously inspired by the many crusades held.im approaching 44 yrs myself and i stil highly repect this giant of a preacher.heaven sent.

Hui says 1.8.2013, 02:58 a.m.

A great humble man of God. Worthy of such an honor.Franklin, stay strong for the Lord.from China

Cathay says 1.7.2013, 10:47 p.m.

Such a great role model of faith and perseverance. A real man of God whom I admire. God Bless and keep you until you are in His arms.

Dave says 1.7.2013, 7:31 p.m.

Psalm 1:1-3

Pat says 1.7.2013, 3:34 p.m.

Dr. Graham should be #1.. he IS in my book!

mark says 1.7.2013, 3:25 p.m.

Mr. Graham has had more influence in my life than any other person, by far. I truly believe at this moment he is God's Man on Earth. I love him so much and thank God for him. I also am so thankful that Franklin has picked up the Mantle.

Beth says 1.5.2013, 09:00 a.m.

May the Lord will lengthen your life because the world needs you..God bless you, dear Billy Graham. I have known you since childhood..

Patricia says 1.5.2013, 07:52 a.m.

I admire the integretiy of the Graham team. they did not let the world sway their commitment to God and His calling.

Dennis says 1.3.2013, 2:11 p.m.

No better man.....

Kerri says 1.3.2013, 07:06 a.m.

I love Billy Graham, he is a wonderful God fearing man that has inspired people all over the world. I honor his dedication to serving our one and only God.

Rob says 1.3.2013, 02:32 a.m.

My earliest recollection of Billy would have been in 1949 when as a 9 year old boy I heard of the L.A Crusade. He has been a great inspiration for me thoughourt my entire life and ministry - Rob Golding, New Zealand

Phoenecia says 1.3.2013, 00:24 a.m.

My husband was diagnosed with cancer and he was a truck driver on the road. He stopped for the night He watched one of Billy Grahams televised crusades and was saved that night. This was Nov 2004 and my husband died Dec 26 2004. Thank You

carole says 1.2.2013, 11:24 p.m.

He stood strong for the Lord and helped millions of other people find him too. He never wavered in his faith and lived his life according to his beliefs. The Lord was always first in his life.

Deborah Schubert says 1.2.2013, 10:40 p.m.

He has always had a burning compassion for souls even especially now.

Janet says 1.2.2013, 10:14 p.m.

Billy Graham is WORTHY for this honor!!

Helen says 1.2.2013, 9:49 p.m.

Thanks for being obedient to God's calling. The greatest evangelist I've ever heard. God bless you and your family.

Emily says 1.2.2013, 9:02 p.m.

Billy Graham, you are an awesome true man of God, we watched your preaching on T.V everytime you were on.Your messages were clear,to the point,interesting and so true. God's word is not a lie,it is the most comforting word for everyone! God bless you

Sherri says 1.2.2013, 7:34 p.m.

Every since I attended a Billy Graham Film Festival back when I was eleven, Billy Graham and BGEA have been in my life and has helped me gain a loser relationship with Jesus. I am so grateful. I know that my life would never be the same .

ken says 1.2.2013, 7:17 p.m.

i was at a crusade in Boston, when Mr Graham refused to take a collection for the remaining nights of the crusade because he had met the financial needs for the stadium rental.he could have collected thousands more each remaining night.

denise says 1.2.2013, 6:52 p.m.

for many many years , billy graham has touched me ,,, in a special spiritual way . as he ministered over the years i always saw the same BILLY GRAHAM , HE NEVER CHANGED , HIS MINISTRY , I COULD SEE THE TRUTH OF GOD AS A YOUNG GIRL ,as he preached

evelyn says 1.2.2013, 6:05 p.m.

B.Graham is a man of God, rightly to be admired and imitated. May the Lord give him the strength to continue to reach people for Christ. Bless you!!

Jane says 1.2.2013, 5:57 p.m.

His dedication to bringing all people to God and to remind this great nation that God is the foundation for our being here is very admirable. Keep the reminders coming we need them more now than ever before.

Willard Cagle says 1.2.2013, 5:44 p.m.

Thank God for my parents who sat us all down in front of our black and white TV to hear Billy Graham talk about the need for us to repent and turn to the Lord Jesus for forgiveness and Salvation. Just As I Am still rings in my soul to this day.

retta says 1.2.2013, 5:19 p.m.

Mr. Graham should be at the top of every list. He is a Great Man of God.