Chuck Colson Fun Facts: 10 Things You Might Not Know About Evangelical Leader

When Chuck Colson converted to Christianity in 1973, many people doubted his sincerity. At the time, he was on trial for his involvement in the Watergate scandal involving members of the Nixon administration.

His commitment to Christianity never wavered and for the next 30 years, Colson worked tirelessly to spread the word of God. He was also a founder of The Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview, which provides support for the training, education and resourcing of Christian understanding.

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Colson was married, with three children and died in 2012 at aged 80. Here are some additional facts that you may not have known about Colson:

1. Colson loved to play with his autistic grandson Max and felt humbled by him.

2. In 1974, Colson was imprisoned for his part in the "Watergate" controversy, serving seven months in Maxwell Prison in Alabama.

3. The Prison Fellowship was founded by Colson on his release after the time served for involvement in the Watergate scandal. It grew into a strong advocacy group for prison reform and brought the hope of Christianity to many convicts.

4. Colson served in the Nixon administration, joining in 1969, where he became known as the "Hatchet man" for his no-nonsense approach.

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5. Colson has won many awards, including the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion and The Presidential Citizens Medal for his charitable work.

6. He served in the Marine Corps from 1953 to 1955 becoming, at the time, its youngest-ever captain.

7. His autobiography, "Born Again," was the bestselling book of 1976 and was made into a movie of the same name, which was released in 1978.

8. Colson only took a modest annual salary and donated all royalties and prize monies to his Prison Fellowship foundation and other charitable organizations with which he was involved, reports the Los Angeles Times.

9. Colson is an only child and was very close to his father when growing up, according to The Telegraph.

10. He lost the right to vote when he was convicted, but Jeb Bush restored all his rights in the year 2000 after becoming governor of Florida, reports The New York Times.

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