Mandela’s health had been in steep decline over the past few months — he was hospitalized on June 8 for kidney and liver problems and had been on life support. Doctors also said he had a recurring lung infection. The President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, had said Mandela was “well looked after” and “comfortable” during his final days.
Mandela became an international figure during his 27 years in prison for conspiring to overthrow South Africa’s government. He was released in 1990, and won the Nobel Peace Prize in ’93. In 1994 Mandela helped orchestrate South Africa’s first multi-racial election — and became the country’s first Black president.
Over the years, Mandela’s been portrayed by several major actors including Sidney Poitier, Morgan Freeman, Dennis Haysbert, Danny Glover and Idris Elba. He also made a cameo as a teacher in Spike Lee’s 1992 flick “Malcolm X. -Tmz
