Ailing evangelist Billy Graham has defied death and in a holiday season miracle, recently celebrated his 96th birthday!
In a bombshell world exclusive, his son, Rev. Franklin Graham, told The National ENQUIRER how the famed preacher fought to stay alive.
“He got pneumonia after his birthday last year and it took a lot out of him,” said Franklin, who now heads the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
“Dad’s in relatively good health – he’s hard of hearing and can’t see very well but his mind is still clear.”
In an exclusive candid photo the family is sharing with ENQUIRER readers, Franklin and his dad are together on Billy’s 96th birthday, celebrated Nov. 7 at the pastor’s mountaintop home in Montreat, N.C.
Billy – who has preached to 2.2 billion people around the world and was a confidante of every U.S. president since Harry S. Truman – has been confined to a wheelchair for several years. He is nearly blind due to macular degeneration and has Parkinson’s disease and battled prostate cancer. Over the past few years, he’s endured other health-related issues, including hip replacement and crippling falls..
Last December, The ENQUIRER reported that Billy was slipping away. He had even whispered a final farewell to his beloved wife Ruth at her graveside, according to sources. The legendary crusaderwas even ready to be laid to rest in a $215 birch plywood coffin built by inmates at the Louisiana State Penitentiary.
“I know I’m going to heaven,” the legendary crusader told The ENQUIRER through his son. “I’m looking forward to it with great anticipation.”
Billy will now live to see a new film being released in his honor titled “Heaven.” Added Franklin: “Dad said he thought he might live to 100 now. And I hope he does.”
