Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid activist who served as the first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the country's first black head of state and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election.
Born: 18 July 1918, Mvezo, South Africa
Died: 5 December 2013, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg, South Africa
Children: Zindziswa Mandela, Zenani Mandela, Madiba Thembekile Mandela, Makaziwe Mandela-Amuah, Makgatho Mandela, Makaziwe Mandela
Spouse: Graça Machel (m. 1998–2013), Winnie Mandela (m. 1958–1996), Evelyn Mase (m. 1944–1958)
Awards: Nobel Peace Prize, Bharat Ratna, Presidential Medal of Freedom, Sakharov Prize, Congressional Gold Medal, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, Nishan-e-Pakistan.
What is Nelson Mandela known for?
Nelson Mandela is known for several things, but perhaps he is best known for successfully leading the resistance to South Africa's policy of apartheid in the 20th century, during which he was infamously incarcerated at Robben Island Prison (1964–82). He won the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1993, along with South Africa's president at the time, F.W. de Klerk, for having led the transition from apartheid to a multiracial democracy. Mandela is also known for being the first black president of South Africa, serving from 1994 to 1999.
