Nelson Mandela, 1918-2013

A life in photographs.

Nelson Mandela’s death at age 95 marked the end of an extraordinary life of moral courage and political heroism. Known in South Africa as the “father of the nation,” Mandela spent 27 years as a political prisoner after joining the resistance movement against apartheid. The photos below capture his fight for human rights and his lifelong leadership.

Anti-apartheid leader and African National Congress (ANC) member Nelson Mandela salutes supporters while addressing on September 05, 1990 in Tokoza a crowd of residents from the Phola park squatter camp during his tour of townships. — Anti-apartheid leader and African National Congress member Nelson Mandela salutes supporters while addressing a crowd of residents from the Phola Park squatter camp during his tour of townships on Sept. 5, 1990, in Tokoza.

Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela's wedding photo, June 14, 1958. — Nelson Mandela's wedding photo with second wife Winnie Madikizela, from June 14, 1958

Nelson Mandela in his youth around 1950. — Nelson Mandela in his youth around 1950

Nelson Mandela (Second From Right), Leader Of The African National Congress (Anc) And Other Militants Charged With Treason By The South-African Union Walked To The Room Where Their Trial Was Being Held In 1956. — Nelson Mandela, second from right, leader of the African National Congress, walks with other militants charged with treason to their trial in 1956.

Anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela returns to Soweto four days after his release from Victor Verster Prison in Paarl, South Africa, after 27 years in detention, 14th February 1990. — Anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela returns to Soweto four days after his release from Victor Verster Prison in Paarl, South Africa, after 27 years in detention, on Feb. 14, 1990.

Jubilant inhabitants of Soweto find room where they can in and on a bus to reach Orlando stadium in Soweto, 12 February 1990, to attend a mass African National Congress (ANC) rally to be addressed by freed anti-apartheid leader and African National Congress (ANC) member Nelson Mandela. It's the first rally Nelson Mandela is holding since his release from jail, 11 February 1990. — Jubilant inhabitants of Soweto crowd a bus to reach Orlando Stadium in Soweto, on Feb. 12, 1990, to attend a mass African National Congress rally to be addressed by Mandela. It was the first rally Mandela held after his release from jail.

ARP1185212 — Nelson Mandela acknowledges applause from members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, in June 1990. At the time, Mandela was the third private citizen in history to address a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress. Standing behind Mandela are House Speaker Thomas Foley, left, and Senate Majority Leader Robert Byrd.

Thousands of people listen to President Nelson Mandela at a stadium in Lesotho's capital on July 13 — Thousands of people listen to South African President Nelson Mandela at a stadium in the capital of neighboring nation Lesotho on July 13, 1995.

South African President Nelson Mandela (R) and Pope John Paul II listen to national anthems after they met at Johannesburg International Airport September 16, 1995, at the start of the pope's first official visit to the country. — President Nelson Mandela and Pope John Paul II listen to national anthems after meeting in Johannesburg on Sept. 16, 1995, at the start of the pope's first official visit to South Africa.

Nelson Mandela and Britain's Queen Elizabeth II ride in a carriage outside Buckingham Palace on the first day of a state visit to Britain, July 9, 1996. — Nelson Mandela and Britain's Queen Elizabeth II ride in a carriage outside Buckingham Palace on the first day of a state visit to Britain, on July 9, 1996.

President Nelson Mandela celebrates his 78 th birthday 19 July. More than 2,000 disabled children gathered to celebrate with President Nelson Mandela in this KwaZulu Natal province. — President Nelson Mandela celebrates his 78th birthday on July 19, 1996. More than 2,000 disabled children gathered to celebrate with Mandela in the KwaZulu-Natal province.

South African President Nelson Mandela talks to Bill and Hillary Clinton March 27 from inside his former prison cell on Robben Island where he spent 18 years. Clinton said he was glad Mandela survived the experience without "having his heart turned into stone." At right is Mandela's partner Graca Machel. — South African President Nelson Mandela talks to Bill and Hillary Clinton on March 27, 1998, from inside his former prison cell on Robben Island, where he spent 18 years. Clinton said he was glad Mandela survived the experience without "having his heart turned into stone." At right is Mandela's partner, Graça Machel.

South Africa President Nelson Mandela (C) reviews the Canadian military guard of honor 23 September during a welcoming ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Canada. Mandela is on a three-day state visit to Canada. — President Nelson Mandela reviews the Canadian military guard of honor Sept. 23, 2001, during a welcoming ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Canada, during a three-day state visit.

Former South African president and Nobel Peace prizewinner Nelson Mandela speaks in Sydney University's Great Hall during the launch of the 'What Makes a Champion' two-day forum September 3, 2000. Mandela is in Australia on a week-long visit, and will receive two honourary doctorates from the university on Monday. — Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela speaks in Sydney University's Great Hall during the launch of the "What Makes a Champion" two-day forum Sept. 3, 2000.

Former South African president Nelson Mandela hugs Cuban president Fidel Castro at Mandela's office in Johannesburg 02 September 2001. Castro who took part in the UN World Racism conference in Durban used the opportunity to visit Mandela, whose health is effected by cancer. — Nelson Mandela hugs Cuban President Fidel Castro at Mandela's office in Johannesburg in September 2001. Castro, who took part in the U.N. World Conference Against Racism in Durban, used the opportunity to visit Mandela when he was fighting cancer.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meets with Nelson Mandela, 94, former president of South Africa, at his home in Qunu, South Africa, August 6, 2012. — Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meets with Nelson Mandela at his home in Qunu, South Africa, on Aug. 6, 2012.

School children read the history of former South African President Nelson Mandela written on a chalkboard, ahead of the opening of a container library by the Bill Clinton foundation in celebration of Mandela day, at a school in Qunu, July 17, 2012. — Schoolchildren read the history of Nelson Mandela written on a chalkboard at a school in Qunu, ahead of the opening of a container library by the Bill Clinton Foundation in celebration of Mandela Day, in 2012.

Storm clouds gather above a statue of Nelson Mandela outside the gates of Drakenstein Correctional Centre (formerly Victor Verster Prison), near Paarl in Western Cape province February 10, 2010. — Storm clouds gather above a statue of Nelson Mandela outside the gates of Drakenstein Correctional Center (formerly Victor Verster Prison), near Paarl in Western Cape province, Feb. 10, 2010.