One of the most respected world leaders, former South African President Nelson Mandela, has passed away at 95. INSIDE EDITION has the story.
Nelson Mandela, one of the most revered leaders in modern history has died.
Outside Nelson Mandela’s home in Johannesburg, South Africa, a massive crowd gathered to mourn their beloved leader.
South Africa’s President, Jacob Zumba consoled his people in a press conference and said, “Our nation has lost it's greatest son.”
As a young attorney in South Africa, Nelson Mandela led the fight against apartheid.
He was sentenced to life in prison for treason and became a powerful symbol of courage and resistance.
Released in 1990, after 27 years behind bars and in 1994 in a remarkable leap forward for black South Africans, he was elected the country's first black president.
Since leaving office in 1999, he traveled the world advising and inspiring world leaders.
He met with First Lady Michele Obama, and daughters Sasha and Malia in last year, it was one of his last public appearances.
He was unable to meet with President Obama when the president visited South Africa earlier this year. But Obama paid tribute to Mandela by visiting the prison on Robben Island where he spent most of his 27 years behind bars.
Nelson Mandela has been celebrated in films like 2009's Invictus, he was played by Morgan Freeman.
In a bitter sweet coincidence, his death comes on the same night as the London premiere of a new movie about his life, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. Prince William and Kate were there.
In recent months the beloved leader had battled a lung infection and was being cared for at his home in Johannesburg where he died peacefully surrounded by his family.
A great statesman who transformed the world. Dead at 95.
