Anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, philanthropist, and author, Nelson Mandela was all this and more. He spent 27 years in prison before being elected President of South Africa—the country's first black head of state—and also served as President of the African National Congress, banned from 1960 to 1990 by the white South African government.

Nelson Mandela passed away in 2013, but is still held in great respect within South Africa and, indeed, across the world. Revered by millions, and often referred to by his Xhosa clan name, Madiba, remains an icon of democracy and social justice.

Click through this gallery for an appreciation of the life and times of one of the most influential figures in recent history.

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Nelson Mandela (1918–2013) - Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in the village of Mvezo in Umtata, then part of South Africa's Cape Province. The name Rolihlahla is a Xhosa term colloquially meaning "troublemaker." Pictured is a youthful Mandela, taken in Umtata in 1937.

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Fighting fit - A young, fit Nelson Mandela adopts a boxing pose, circa 1950. In March 1950, he was elected national president of the African National Congress Youth League. He would later become President of the African National Congress party, from 1991 to 1997.

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Law student - Mandela studied law at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. He was the only black student, and faced racism and bigotry. He would later draw on these skills and experiences during the infamous 1956 Treason Trial.

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Jailed for life - Arrested and later sentenced to life imprisonment for conspiring to overthrow the state, following the equally notorious Rivonia Trial of 1962–63, the activist was imprisoned in 1964.

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The Mandela Museum -

Mandela's former home in the Johannesburg township of Soweto and the place where he stayed before his near 27-year imprisonment. He also briefly lived there immediately after being released from prison. The building is now a fascinating museum.

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"Home" for 27 years -

The inside of Mandela's prison cell as it was when he was imprisoned in 1964. Mandela served nearly 27 years in prison, split between Robben Island (pictured), Pollsmoor Prison, and Victor Verster Prison.

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The long road to freedom - Mandela is accompanied by his then wife Winnie, moments after his release from prison on February 11, 1990 after being incarcerated for nearly three decades.

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Working to end apartheid -

In 1993, President F. W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their work in ending apartheid.

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Independent spirit - President Bill Clinton with Nelson Mandela at the Independence Hall in Philadelphia during the US Independence Day celebrations in 1993.

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Presidential speech - A year later, President Nelson Mandela of South Africa delivers his speech during the arrival ceremonies on the South Lawn at the White House.

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Guard of honor - President Mandela with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, inspecting the Guard of Honour formed by the Irish Guards at the beginning of his State Visit to Britain in July 1996.

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Spice of life - With the Prince of Wales (left) and the Spice Girls at the Mahlamba Ndlopfu presidential residence in Pretoria in 1997.

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An icon for millions - Retiring from politics in 1999, he founded the Nelson Mandela Foundation the same year in an effort to promote rural development, school construction, and combat HIV/AIDS.

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Peace and reconciliation - Waving to the crowd after speaking at the Colonial Stadium for the World Reconciliation Day Concert in Melbourne, Australia, in 2000.

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A thrilling occasion - The late Michael Jackson (right) was among the guests of Mandela's 80th birthday bash in 2000.

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Number 46664 - Nelson Mandela speaks at the 46664 - Give One Minute of Your Life to AIDS concert at Cape Town's Greenpoint Stadium in 2003 (46664 was Mandela's prison inmate number on Robben Island).

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White House tour - President George W. Bush and former President Nelson Mandela meet in the Oval Office in May 2005.

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Mixing with royalty - Nelson Mandela and his wife Graça Machel with Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene at the United for a Better World gala dinner in 2007.

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Winning ways - Posing with the Webb-Ellis cup during the Springboks' visit to Mandela's Johannesburg residence in 2007.

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A meeting of minds - British scientist Stephen Hawking (1942-2018) visited Johannesburg in May 2008 and was met by Nelson Mandela. The two posed for this special photograph.

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Meeting a monarch - Mandela meets Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, London. The royal get-together marked a week-long visit to England in celebration of the former president's 90th birthday.

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Happy birthday to you - Blowing out candles on his birthday cake received from the staff, in honor of his 90th birthday.

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Best-selling author - Then-US First Lady Michelle Obama and Nelson Mandela view his newest book titled 'Nelson Mandela by himself' at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, in 2011.

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One of the most revered figures of the age - Widely regarded as an icon of democracy and social justice, he received more than 250 awards, accolades, prizes, honorary degrees, and citizenships in recognition of his political achievements.

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Celebrity status - Mandela with musicians Annie Lennox, Brian May, and Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens.

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"Father of the Nation" - Nelson Mandela is still held in deep respect within South Africa, where he is often referred to by his Xhosa clan name, Madiba, and described as the "Father of the Nation."

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The world mourns - The British press announcing the death of Nelson Mandela on December 5, 2013. His passing made headlines around the world.

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Outpouring of grief - The ANC Women League sing songs and prayers for Nelson Mandela outside of the Mandela House after the announcement of the former South African President's death.

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End of an era - A guard of honor forms around the coffin of former South African President Nelson Mandela during his funeral ceremony in Qunu, Eastern Cape in December 2013.

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Legacy - Mandela's widow, Graça Machel, speaks at the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit during the 73rd United Nations General Assembly in New York in September 2018.

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Robben Island -

Robben Island, set off the coast of Bloubergstrand, Cape Town, is the location of the prison where Mandela was imprisoned for 18 of the 27 years he served behind bars. The island is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Celebrating the great Nelson Mandela -