Born: 7 October 1931 · Died: 26 December 2021 · Age at death: 90
How old was Desmond Tutu when he died?
Desmond Tutu died aged 90. He was born on 7 October 1931 and died on 26 December 2021.
South African Anglican archbishop who campaigned against apartheid, won the Nobel Peace Prize and chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Did you know?He is credited with popularising the term Rainbow Nation to describe the multicultural diversity of post-apartheid South Africa.
Quick facts
Date of birth7 October 1931
Date of death26 December 2021
Age at death90
Cause of deathProstate cancer
NationalitySouth African
BirthplaceMunsieville, South Africa
OccupationAnglican priest, human rights defender, non-fiction writer
Editor's Take:
Desmond Tutu was the moral voice of the struggle against apartheid. As an Anglican bishop and later Archbishop of Cape Town, he used his pulpit to condemn racial injustice. He called for international sanctions against South Africa, angering the government. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. After apartheid ended, Nelson Mandela asked him to lead the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It heard thousands of victims and perpetrators. He spoke out for human rights everywhere, and his warm laugh was famous around the world.
Key Milestones
1975: Dean of Johannesburg
1984: Nobel Peace Prize – awarded
1986: Archbishop – Cape Town
1996: Truth Commission – chair
Desmond Mpilo Tutu (7 October 1931 – 26 December 2021) was a South African Anglican bishop and theologian, known for his work as an anti-apartheid and human rights activist.
