Nelson Mandela has died at the age of 95. The former South African president is known around the world for spearheading the peaceful resistance against apartheid.
“Our nation has lost its greatest son,” current South Africa President Jacob Zuma said on Thursday, noting Mandela died at 8:50 p.m. local time. “His humility, his compassion and his humanity earned him our love.”
Mandela served 27 years in prison for committing treason against South Africa’s former white minority government. After he was freed, Mandela was voted president in the country’s first fully democratic election. He served in that office from 1994 until 1999.
Mandela’s health has been poor for the past few years. He has been hospitalized frequently for a recurring lung infection.
The beloved leader was last seen in public during 2010’s World Cup in South Africa. At that time, he spoke about the legacy he hopes to leave behind…
“I would like to be remembered not as anyone unique or special, but as part of a great team in this country that has struggled for many years, for decades and even centuries… The greatest glory of living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time you fall.”
