A Look Back at Mandela's Life

He was born Rolihlahla Mandela in the village of Mvezo, Transkei, South Africa, the son of Henry Mandela, chief counselor to Thembuland’s acting paramount chief.
He was born Rolihlahla Mandela in the village of Mvezo, Transkei, South Africa, the son of Henry Mandela, chief counselor to Thembuland’s acting paramount chief.
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Nelson Mandela smiled as he announced his retirement from public life at the offices of his foundation in Johannesburg, South Africa, in June 2004. He joked about still keeping a punishing schedule, despite having retired from active politics in 1999.
Nelson Mandela smiled as he announced his retirement from public life at the offices of his foundation in Johannesburg, South Africa, in June 2004. He joked about still keeping a punishing schedule, despite having retired from active politics in 1999.
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Mr. Mandela, second from back, and others walked to a room where their treason trial was being held in 1956. All of the defendants were found not guilty in 1961. Just three years later, Mr. Mandela was convicted of plotting to overthrow the government and sentenced to life in prison.
Mr. Mandela, second from back, and others walked to a room where their treason trial was being held in 1956. All of the defendants were found not guilty in 1961. Just three years later, Mr. Mandela was convicted of plotting to overthrow the government and sentenced to life in prison.
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Antiapartheid leader Oliver Tambo and Mr. Mandela.
Antiapartheid leader Oliver Tambo and Mr. Mandela.
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After his election, President Mandela revisited the prison cell on Robben Island, where he spent 18 years.
After his election, President Mandela revisited the prison cell on Robben Island, where he spent 18 years.
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Antiapartheid leader and African National Congress member Mr. Mandela and his wife, Winnie, raised their fists as Mr. Mandela was released from Victor Verster prison on Feb. 11, 1990, in Paarl, South Africa.
Antiapartheid leader and African National Congress member Mr. Mandela and his wife, Winnie, raised their fists as Mr. Mandela was released from Victor Verster prison on Feb. 11, 1990, in Paarl, South Africa.
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Mr. Mandela walked with his daughter, Zindzi, on her wedding day in Soweto, South Africa, in October 1992. She is one of Mr. Mandela’s two daughters with Winnie.
Mr. Mandela walked with his daughter, Zindzi, on her wedding day in Soweto, South Africa, in October 1992. She is one of Mr. Mandela’s two daughters with Winnie.
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Mr. Mandela and South African President Frederik Willem de Klerk were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo in 1993 for their work in the peaceful termination of the apartheid regime.
Mr. Mandela and South African President Frederik Willem de Klerk were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo in 1993 for their work in the peaceful termination of the apartheid regime.
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Thousands of supporters gathered to hear Mr. Mandela, president of the ANC, speak at a rally in Mmabatho, South Africa, in March 1994.
Thousands of supporters gathered to hear Mr. Mandela, president of the ANC, speak at a rally in Mmabatho, South Africa, in March 1994.
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Mr. Mandela greeted his young supporters in a township outside Durban, South Africa, in April 1994. Soon after, South Africans voted in their country’s first democratic and multiracial general elections.
Mr. Mandela greeted his young supporters in a township outside Durban, South Africa, in April 1994. Soon after, South Africans voted in their country’s first democratic and multiracial general elections.
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ANC supporters listened to Mr. Mandela speak at a rally in Mmabatho in March 1994. That May, Parliament elected him as South Africa’s first black president.
ANC supporters listened to Mr. Mandela speak at a rally in Mmabatho in March 1994. That May, Parliament elected him as South Africa’s first black president.
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President Mandela congratulated Springbok team skipper François Pienaar for his team winning the Rugby Word Cup in Johannesburg in 1995.
President Mandela congratulated Springbok team skipper François Pienaar for his team winning the Rugby Word Cup in Johannesburg in 1995.
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President Mandela and President Bill Clinton peered through the bars of a cell on South Africa’s Robben Island, where Mr. Mandela served part of his prison sentence.
President Mandela and President Bill Clinton peered through the bars of a cell on South Africa’s Robben Island, where Mr. Mandela served part of his prison sentence.
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Mr. Mandela raised the hand of newly sworn-in South African President Thabo Mbeki, his successor, at an inauguration ceremony in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1999.
Mr. Mandela raised the hand of newly sworn-in South African President Thabo Mbeki, his successor, at an inauguration ceremony in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1999.
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Mr. Mandela lifted a trophy in Zurich in 2004 after it was announced that South Africa would host the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
Mr. Mandela lifted a trophy in Zurich in 2004 after it was announced that South Africa would host the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
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Mr. Mandela’s other daughter with Winnie, Zenani Dlamini, far left, lighted a cake as relatives gathered around to celebrate Mr. Mandela’s 92nd birthday on July 18, 2010, in Johannesburg. He was married three times and fathered six children.
Mr. Mandela’s other daughter with Winnie, Zenani Dlamini, far left, lighted a cake as relatives gathered around to celebrate Mr. Mandela’s 92nd birthday on July 18, 2010, in Johannesburg. He was married three times and fathered six children.
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Pope John Paul II and South African President Nelson Mandela on Sept. 16, 1995 at the presidential guest house in Pretoria.
Pope John Paul II and South African President Nelson Mandela on Sept. 16, 1995 at the presidential guest house in Pretoria.
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