Zig Ziglar Life Story

About Zig

Zig Ziglar grew up in a poor, large family headed solely by his mother. Although he went through the motions of being a Christian—going to church on Sundays, attending prayer meetings and getting baptized—he came away with the impression that Christians went around “with long faces and short pocketbooks.”

This puritan image was broken when he committed his life to Christ…“there’s an absolute joy that comes from knowing Christ that you will not experience anywhere else. When you know Christ, things are absolutely different.”

His decision to believe impacted every part of his life, from his relationship with his family to his life as a professional speaker in corporate sales. God spoke to him through both.

Soon after Zig’s commitment, God used his seven-year old son to get him to start reading the Bible. His son’s excitement over the Bible stories Zig told him was contagious, and Zig was challenged to go deeper into the Word as his son kept saying, “Get the book out and give me some more stories.”

Zig explains that his son’s interest in the Bible was no coincidence and that “when you take that move toward God, you’ll find He’s already headed in your direction; He’s been waiting for you all of your life.”

Since 1970, Zig Ziglar’s career has naturally moved from that of champion seller to master motivator. Ten of his 25 books have been best sellers. He is in constant demand as speaker and instructor to audiences of all kinds and sizes. An inspiration for the Living to Change Lives Foundation, he travels all over the world, delivering his messages of humor, hope and enthusiasm. When you hear him tell his story you will know why!

Read Zig Ziglar’s Life Story (transcribed)
Listen to Zig Ziglar’s Life Story