Kathie Lee On Billy Graham For Today's #InspiredBy Series: Host Gives Tearful Tribute (VIDEO)

WATCH: Billy Graham Moves Kathie Lee To Tears

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Kathie Lee Gifford of 'Today' gave a touching tribute to Billy Graham, recounting her first experience with him at age 12, when she came to find her mother and sister sobbing on their knees after watching a Billy Graham crusade on television.

Since then, they have become dear friends, with Graham making a rare appearance on secular TV for her 1994 Christmas special. She said, "I've been inspired by this person for nearly 50 years, and to me he's much more than an inspiration, he's my dear friend."

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