Famed evangelical Christian pastor Billy Graham, a charismatic figure for decades in the US and counsellor to Presidents, died on Wednesday at the age of 99.

Graham passed away at his home in Montreat, North Carolina, his spokesman Jeremy Blume told CNN.

He had dealt with a number of illnesses in his last years, including prostate cancer, hydrocephalus (a buildup of fluid in the brain) and symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

In a 60-year career, he is estimated to have personally preached to 210 million people and prayed with every US President since Harry Truman.

Several Presidents, including Lyndon Johnson, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, relied closely on his spiritual counsel.

Graham was a frequent guest at the White House and he delivered the invocations at presidential inaugurations and national political conventions.

In the royal chapel at Britain's Windsor Castle, he preached before Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. He travelled to combat zones in South Korea and Vietnam to pray with US servicemen.

Graham is reported to have persuaded over 3 million people to commit their lives to Christianity and his preaching was heard in 185 of the world's 195 countries, according to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

"He was probably the dominant religious leader of his era; no more than one or two popes, perhaps one or two other people, could come close to what he achieved," said William Martin, a former historian at Rice University and the author of "A Prophet with Honor: The Billy Graham Story."

Graham kept himself untarnished by sex and money scandals that brought down evangelists and religious broadcasters like Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart in the 1980s, the New York Times reported.

The Grahams lived in a 200-acre mountain retreat in Montreat. His wife, Ruth Bell Graham, died in 2007.

He preached his final revival meeting in New York in 2005 at the age of 86.

Graham is survived by his sons, the Rev. William Franklin III and the Rev. Nelson Graham, known as Ned; three daughters, Virginia Tchividjian, Anne Graham Lotz and Ruth Graham McIntyre; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. (IANS)

Billy Graham preaches the Gospel to thousands of believers in Paris as part of a worldwide crusade in 1986
Billy Graham preaches the Gospel to thousands of believers in Paris as part of a worldwide crusade in 1986. Reuters
Tricia Nixon Cox, daughter of former President Richard M. Nixon
Tricia Nixon Cox, daughter of former President Richard M. Nixon is led by the Rev. Billy Graham as she and her husband Edward Cox follow the president's casket into his Presidential Library in Yorba Linda, California, in 1994. Reuters
Billy Graham preaches to the congregation at China's Chongwenmen church in 1988
Billy Graham preaches to the congregation at China's Chongwenmen church in 1988, his words and gestures translated into Chinese by Philip Teng (L). The trip was Graham's first visit to China. Reuters
Billy Graham speaks in the East Berlin Gethsemane Church in 1990
Billy Graham speaks in the East Berlin Gethsemane Church in 1990. Reuters
Billy Graham speaks to thousands during his New York Crusade at Flushing Meadows Park in 2005
Billy Graham speaks to thousands during his New York Crusade at Flushing Meadows Park in 2005. Reuters
Former president Bill Clinton clasps hands with Billy Graham
Former president Bill Clinton clasps hands with Billy Graham during the second day of Graham's Crusade at Flushing Meadows Park in New York, in 2005. Reuters
Rev. Billy Graham (L) sits with First Lady Hillary Clinton and President Bill Clinton
Rev. Billy Graham (L) sits with First Lady Hillary Clinton and President Bill Clinton at the head table during a prayer breakfast at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, U.S., February 4, 1993. Reuters
Evangelist Billy Graham and three former United States presidents; George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton
Evangelist Billy Graham and three former United States presidents; George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, listen to speakers during the dedication of Graham's Library in Charlotte, North Carolina, May 31, 2007. Reuters
Evangelist Billy Graham speaks during the final day of his Crusade at Flushing Meadows Park in New York
Evangelist Billy Graham speaks during the final day of his Crusade at Flushing Meadows Park in New York June 26, 2005 Reuters
Evangelist Billy Graham speaks during his Crusade at Flushing Meadows Park in New York June
Evangelist Billy Graham speaks during his Crusade at Flushing Meadows Park in New York June 25, 2005. Reuters
Evangelist Billy Graham speaks during his New York Crusade at Flushing Meadows Park
Evangelist Billy Graham speaks during his New York Crusade at Flushing Meadows Park in New York June 24, 2005. Reuters
Evangelist Billy Graham speaks to members of the media at a news conference in New York
Evangelist Billy Graham speaks to members of the media at a news conference in New York, June 21, 2005. Reuters
Evangelist Billy Graham speaks to the capacity crowd at Raymond James Stadiun in Tampa, Florida
Evangelist Billy Graham speaks to the capacity crowd at Raymond James Stadiun in Tampa, Florida October 22, 1998. Reuters
President Barack Obama meets with Billy Graham at his house in Montreat
President Barack Obama meets with Billy Graham at his house in Montreat, North Carolina in 2010. Reuters
Former President George W. Bush gives a copy of his book Decision Points to Billy Graham
Former President George W. Bush gives a copy of his book Decision Points to Billy Graham as Laura Bush looks on at the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2010. Reuters