What Are Some Nelson Mandela Quick Facts?

You might know what Nelson Mandela stood for, but how much do you really know about this inspirational man?

Nelson Mandela Quick Facts

Here is a list of quick facts about Nelson Mandela. 

• Nelson Mandela was born July 18, 1918.
• He was born in Transkei, Africa.
• When he was born, his name was Rolihlahla Mandela.
• His birth name means "to pull a branch off a tree" and "troublemaker."
• He was given the name Nelson in school when he was seven years old.
• His father had four wives. Mandela is the youngest of all of the sons that his father had. In fact, he is the only one surviving.
• He grew up in a rural area, and he engaged in activities such as herding animals.
• As a youngster, he attended boarding school.

• His father passed away when Nelson was 12 years old. Afterwards, wealthy relatives had custody of him.

• He attended Fort Hare Missionary College; however, he was expelled for organizing a strike against the white rule of the college.

• He met Oliver Tambo, a great friend of his, at Fort Hare.

• He was working toward a B.A. when he was in college.
• He studied law at the University of Witwatersrand.
• In 1942, he joined the African National Congress.
• He became Deputy President of the African National Congress.
• He was also a lawyer in addition to an activist and politician.
• He was imprisoned on Robben Island.
• During his time in jail, he was able to have secret talks with the President of South Africa. Due to these talks, he was able to be freed.

• While he was in jail, he was told that if he stopped his acts of violence, he would be allowed to go free. He did not agree to this provision.

• He was supposed to be in prison for life.
• Mandela was in jail for approximately 30 years.

• In 1968, both his mother and son passed away. However, he was not permitted out of jail to attend their funerals.

• His only son passed away due to AIDS.

• In 1993, he shared the Nobel Peace Prize with F.W. de Klerk.
• They received this Nobel Peace Prize for getting rid of the apartheid system.
• In 1994, he became the first president of South Africa to be elected by a democratic system.
• Once he was finished with his presidency, he became an advocate in support of people suffering from AIDS.
• He has honorary degrees from more than 50 universities worldwide.
• A hobby of his was boxing.
• Nelson Mandela is a Christian.
• He was married to his first wife for 13 years and to his second wife for four years. He married again at the age of 80.

• In 2004, at the age of 85, he announced that he would retire from the public domain.

• Nelson Mandela is living in South Africa as of 2011.

Now you know plenty of interesting facts about this extremely important figure in history.