Photos: Bishop Eddie Long through the years

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Photos: Bishop Eddie Long through the years

Photos of the career of Bishop Eddie Long, who died Jan. 15, 2017, after a battle with cancer. He was 63.

Bishop Eddie Long, the senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, speaks a the DeKalb County megachurch in 2016.

A teary Bishop Eddie Long admitted to a New Birth Missionary Baptist Church congregation during a service in February 2016 that he once considered taking his own life. Long didn't say what was going on at the time, but it appeared to be a reference to allegations in 2010 that he coerced several young men into sexual relations. Four lawsuits resulted from those allegations. They were all subsequently dismissed “with prejudice” in 2011.

Bishop Eddie Long speaking at a news conference on January 18, 2012. Long had been under fire for more than a year after being embroiled in at least eight lawsuits and being investigated by Congress. His lavish lifestyle has drawn admiration and criticism.

Bishop Eddie Long, the beleaguered pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, announced at services Sunday in December 2011 that he will take a leave of absence.

Bishop Eddie Long held a press conference with his wife at his side Sunday, September 26, 2010 between services at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga. He said he would not address the allegations of luring young men into sexual relationships on the advice of his attorneys.

Bishop Eddie Long speaks Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010, at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga.

Bishop Eddie Long walking to the pulpit with his wife, Vanessa Long, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010, at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta. Bishop Eddie Long, the pastor of a Georgia megachurch accused of luring young men into sexual relationships, has told his congregation of thousands that all people must face painful and distasteful situations.

Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Ga. on March 9, 2006.

New Birth Missionary Baptist Church's Bishop Eddie Lee Long shares a big laugh with Patricia Oliver at the Georgia Dome on March 2, 2005. New Birth held health screenings, food, clothing, haircuts and care kits for the disenfranchised, along with a music and prayer and spiritual counseling group ahead of Easter services at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga. Oliver, who is a member of the church, said she was homeless due to domestic violence.

Bishop Eddie Lee Long, pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist in Lithonia, Ga., and wife Vanessa Griffin Long arrive at the 13th Annual Trumpet Awards on Monday, April 25, 2005.

Bishop Eddie Long and Bernice King, left, at the start of a march against gay marriage and other issues at the Martin Luther King National Historic Site on December 11, 2004.

At the Martin Luther King National Historic Site, Bernice King, left, and Bishop Eddie Long pray December 11, 2004 after passing the torch at the start of a march against gay marriage and other issues.

Bishop Eddie Long, Senior Pastor of the Church, speaks during Wednesday night Bible Study on April 9, 2003. New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Ga. is one of the mega-churches in Atlanta Metro area with a membership of about 25,000 people. Long became pastor of the church in 1987.

Bishop Eddie Long of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church gives a New Year's sermon Sunday, January 2, 2000 at a service at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Ga.

Bishop Eddie Long and Sunny Warren, who ran for Congress in DeKalb County, pray for Steve Forbes, left, at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church on March 13, 1999 in Decatur, Ga. Bishop Long addressed approximately 2,000 Black men, including entrepreneurs, business leaders and business owners.

Bishop Eddie Long in deep thought during a meeting with teenage boys with a business proposal in his New Birth Office on June 15, 1999.

Bishop Eddie Long working out at Circle Stone Club on June 15, 1999.

Bishop Eddie Long speaking to New Birth Missionary Baptist Church audience Sunday 9:00am service, the second of three services held on Sundays, on June 20, 1999.

Bishop Eddie Long, with The Nation Of Jesus, behind him talking with students of Southwest DeKalb High School on Friday, October 3, 1997. The pastor told the students there will not be another death in their school and they should stand up to not allow fighting in their school anymore.

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Bishop Eddie Long, the senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, speaks a the DeKalb County megachurch in 2016.

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