Born: 18 July 1918 · Died: 5 December 2013 · Age: 95
Anti-apartheid leader imprisoned for 27 years who became South Africa's first Black president and won the Nobel Peace Prize
Did you know?While in prison, he managed to smuggle out his autobiography, which was later published as Long Walk to Freedom.
Quick facts
Date of birth18 July 1918
Date of death5 December 2013
Age at death95
Cause of deathRespiratory disease
NationalitySouth African
BirthplaceMvezo, South Africa
Occupationpolitician, lawyer
Editor's Take:
Mandela's greatness lies as much in what he chose not to do as in what he achieved. After 27 years behind bars, he emerged with the authority to lead South Africa into bloodshed, yet he chose negotiation and reconciliation instead. As the country's first Black president, he reached out to former opponents, famously wearing the Springbok rugby shirt at the 1995 World Cup final to unite a divided nation. He served only one term, stepping down voluntarily at a time when many leaders clung to power. That combination of moral courage and political restraint is why he is admired across the world.
Key Milestones
1944: Co-founds the ANC Youth League
1964: Sentenced to life imprisonment at the Rivonia Trial
1990: Released after 27 years in prison
1993: Shares the Nobel Peace Prize with F. W. de Klerk
1994: Elected South Africa's first Black president
1999: Steps down after a single term
Anti-apartheid revolutionary who spent 27 years in prison and became South Africa's first Black president.
Nelson Mandela's birthday is July 18. He was born on July 18, 1918 in Mvezo, South Africa.
How old was Nelson Mandela when he died?
Nelson Mandela died on December 5, 2013, aged 95.
Who shares a birthday with Nelson Mandela?
Famous people who share Nelson Mandela's July 18 birthday include Hendrik Lorentz, Priyanka Chopra, Vin Diesel, Robert Hooke and William Makepeace Thackeray.
