US evangelist Billy Graham – one of the most influential preachers of the 20th Century – has died aged 99.
Graham became one of the best-known promoters of Christianity, preaching to audiences worldwide in large arenas, beginning in London in 1954.
He died at his home in Montreat, North Carolina, a spokesman for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association said.
In a 60-year career, he is estimated to have personally preached to 210 million people.
Graham reached millions more through TV.
Graham became a committed Christian at the age of 16 after hearing a travelling evangelist and was ordained a minister in 1939.
At first sceptical of the civil rights movement in the US, he went on to become a supporter in the 1950s.
Graham avoided the scandals which dogged some contemporary televangelists. His fiery delivery became more measured with advancing years and controversy surrounding the techniques of mass evangelism.
