Christian motivational speaker and author Zig Ziglar died Wednesday at a Dallas hospital after a bout with pneumonia.

Ziglar was a World War II veteran who gained prominence for his motivational speeches aimed at improving people's careers and lives.

The Alabama native appeared at many events alongside world leaders, including several U.S. presidents.

Ziglar's Web page says he is "speaking with Jesus now."

Ziglar also wrote more than 30 books, including Confessions of a Grieving Christian, following the death of his oldest daughter Suzan.

In 1995, Ziglar shared his insights about grief on CBN's "The 700 Club."

"Grieving for the Christian is like going through a long winding mountain tunnel," he said. "You know there's an end to it; you just don't know where so you keep going -- not in your own strength -- but in the strength of Christ.

"Then the grief ends when you get to the end of the tunnel and you see the light shed by the Shekinah glory of Christ and you'll see your loved one right there with Him," he said.

Rev. Tony Evans of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas called Ziglar 'a giant of the faith" who showed leaders how to bring kingdom principles in the workplace.

Ziglar was 86 years old.

Watch Zig Ziglar’s 1995 appearance on “The 700 Club.”