Best-selling self-help writer ‘inspired millions to make the most of life’ with humor, hope and encouragement

Zig Ziglar, best-selling self-help author and motivational speaker, died Nov. 28 at a Plano, Texas, hospital due to complications from pneumonia. He was 86. 

“Though his time on earth has ended, he is speaking with Jesus now in his heavenly home,” a post on Ziglar’s Facebook page said. “The angels in heaven are rejoicing and his family is celebrating a life well lived.” 

Author John Maxwell wrote on Twitter: “My friend Zig Ziglar passed away. I am grateful for the many wonderful memories we had together. We lost a great one!”

Ziglar’s “Success Rallies,” “Born to Win” seminars, self-help books and countless audio recordings attracted millions of followers with homespun advice on career advancement and moral uplift, the New York Times reported. 

At his busiest, he spoke 150 times a year, and well into his 70s, he was speaking 60 times a year. His fee was $50,000 a speech plus expense, but at other times he waived his fee, The Washington Post reported. Ziglar kept up a rigorous touring schedule until retiring in 2010.

Ziglar’s books include the best-sellers See You at The Top! and Confessions of a Happy Christian (both Pelican Publishing Co.). He wrote Confessions of a Grieving Christian (B&H Publishing Group) after the 1995 death of his eldest daughter, Suzan Witmeyer, from pulmonary fibrosis.

Ziglar also wrote Inspiration From the Top: A Collection of My Favorite Quotes; Raising Positive Kids in a Negative World; and Up, Up, Up in a Down, Down World: Daily Hope for the Daily Grind (all Thomas Nelson); The One Year Daily Insights With Zig Ziglar (Tyndale House Publishers); and Conversations With My Dog (B&H Publishing Group).

Ziglar was an active Southern Baptist layman and a member of Prestonwood Baptist Church in the Dallas suburb of Plano, Baptist Press reported. 

“Zig has left such an indelible mark on this church that we will forever remember his servant heart, his passion for teaching the Word of God, his love of people and, of course, his high-energy, motivational speaking,” Ziglar’s pastor, Jack Graham, wrote in a message to the congregation.

Matt Baugher, senior vice president and publisher of Thomas Nelson’s nonfiction group, told Christian Retailing that the company published more than 20 of Ziglar’s books, with the last being God’s Way is Still the Best Way (2007).

“In teaching us to honor God and each other, he inspired not only positivity, but a whole new approach to life,” he said. “Zig helped motivate you to understanding that results follow attitude, and no one did it better. Zig lived every day as if it was his last. May we honor him by doing the same. As Zig himself said in one of his book titles, we all have ‘something to smile about.’ “ 

Tyndale House Publishers published two of Ziglar’s books plus a daily calendar. 

“Zig inspired millions to make the most of life,” Senior Vice President and Group Publisher Ron Beers said. “With humor, hope and encouragement, he showed us how to make our faith practical, helpful and life changing. Zig understood how passionate God is about helping people reach the full potential for which they are created, and that’s what Zig dedicated his life to doing. It wasn’t just a job to him; it was a calling. And he did it so well.” 

B&H Publishing Group published three of Ziglar’s books. 

“All three, including Confessions of a Grieving Christian, are still in print,” said Marty Kind, director of LifeWay Communications. 

Ziglar is survived by Jean, his wife of 66 years; two daughters, Julie Norman and Cindy Oates; a son, Tom; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

• Prev
• Next