Nelson Mandela Has Died: 10 Iconic Photos of South African Anti-Apartheid Hero Meeting With World Leaders and Celebrities

By Nicola Menzie, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, December 05, 2013

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, South African activist and president, has died at the age of 95 surrounded by his family at his home in the African nation he helped deliver from hundreds of years of racial segregation.

Mandela, loved by his countrymen and admired around the world for his relentless fight against racial injustice and oppression, gave audience to many global leaders, controversial ones included, and celebrities who stood in awe of his life's work.

Below are 10 photos of such meetings with Mandela. Read about the late South African president's passing here: Former South African President Nelson Mandela Is Dead at 95

2008: Mandela meets with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkkozy in Johannesburg, South Africa.

France's President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) and his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy (R) pose with former South Africa's President Nelson Mandela during their visit at the Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg Feb. 29, 2008. | (Photo: Reuters/Remy de la Mauviniere/Pool)

2007: Mandela meets with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter during a ceremony marking the South Afircan leader's 89th birthday.

Former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela (L) shakes hands with the former U.S. President, Jimmy Carter during a ceremony marking his 89th birthday in Johannesburg, July 18, 2007. | (Photo: Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko)

2003: Mandela meets with British soccer star David Beckham in Johannesburg.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela chats with England soccer captain David Beckham at Nelson Mandela's Foundation office in Johannesburg May 21,2003. | (Photo: Reuters/Juda Ngwenya)

2003: Mandela meets with former U.S. President Bill Clinton during a gala in London, England.

Former U.S President Bill Clinton (R) and former South African President Nelson Mandela (L) speak during a Gala night in Westminster Hall, London, July 2, 2003. | (Photo: Reuters/Chris Young/Pool)

2002: Mandela poses with U2 frontman and activist Bono in Johannesburg.

Irish rock star Bono (R) and Former South African President Nelson Mandela pose after they met at Mandela's resident at Houghton in Johannesburg May 25, 2002. | (Photo: Reuters/Juda Ngwenya)

2001: Mandela embraces Cuba's former President Fidel Castro in Johannesburg.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela (L) hugs Cuba's President Fidel Castro during a visit to Mandela's home in Houghton, Johannesburg in this Sept. 2, 2001, file photo. | (Photo: Reuters/Chris Kotze/Files)

1997: Mandela speaks with Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe during a three-day meeting of the World Economic Forum.

President's Nelson Mandela of South Africa (L) and Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe talk together May 21, 1997, as he was leaving the country after a three day state visit. Mandela opened a World Economic Forum on the southern African region to improve investment and trade within the region. | (Photo: Reuters)

1997: Mandela shakes hands with Diana, Princess of Wales, during her visit to Cape Town. Mandela thanked Diana for influencing his government to ban the making of anti-personnel mines.

Diana, Princess of Wales (R), meets South African President Nelson Mandela in Cape Town March 17, 1997. Mandela praised Diana for having influenced his government to ban the making of anti-personnel mines. | (Photo: Reuters)

1996: Mandela rides with Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in a carriage outside Buckingham Palace during the South African president's visit to the country.