A short while ago President Nelson Mandela, one of the world's greatest statesman died in South Africa. Mr. Mandela was 95 years old. His death was announced by President Zuma who said Mr. Mandela had "departed" and was at peace. Mr. Mandela battled health related issues in recent months, including a recurring lung infection that led to numerous hospitalizations. 

More details to follow.

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is the former South African politician who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the first black South African to hold the office, and the first elected in a fully representative, multiracial election.

Born: July 18, 1918 in Mvezo, South Africa

Died: December 05, 2013 (age 95), South Africa

Children: Zindziswa Mandela, Makaziwe Mandela, Makgatho Mandela, Zenani Mandela, Madiba Thembekile Mandela

Awards:

• Nobel Peace Prize 
• Time's Person of the Year 
• Bharat Ratna (1990) - Republic of India's highest civilian award
• Presidential Medal of Freedom (2002) - USA's highest civilian award
• Congressional Gold Medal (1998) - USA's highest civilian award
• Sakharov Prize (1988)
• Gandhi Peace Prize 
• Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding 
• Lenin Peace Prize 
• Al-Gaddafi International Prize for Human Rights,
• Order of the Nile 
• United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights 
• Indira Gandhi Award for International Justice and Harmony 
• Ambassador of Conscience Award,
• UNESCO Peace Prize 
• Carter–Menil Human Rights Prize, Simon Bolivar International Prize 
• J. William Fulbright Prize for International Understanding 
• Harvard Business School Statesman of the Year Award 
• W E B DuBois International Medal

Spouse: Graça Machel (m. 1998), Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (m. 1958–1996), Evelyn Mase (m. 1944–1956)

Education: Healdtown Comprehensive School, University of Fort Hare, University of London, University of South Africa, University of the Witwatersrand, University of London International Programmes.

Key Dates

• 1918 Born in the Eastern Cape
• 1944 Joins African National Congress
• 1956 Charged with high treason, but charges dropped
• 1962 Arrested, convicted of sabotage, sentenced to five years in prison
• 1964 Charged again, sentenced to life
• 1990 Freed from prison
• 1993 Wins Nobel Peace Prize
• 1994 Elected first black president
• 1999 Steps down as leader.

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