Nelson Mandela was a South African activist who was imprisoned for 27 years for opposing apartheid but later became the first black President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999 after apartheid ended. He continued advocating for equality and justice after his presidency, touring the world as an inspirational speaker until his death in 2013 at the age of 95, having received numerous honors including the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in South Africa's peaceful transition to democracy.