Leader
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 in Mvezo, South Africa. He joined the African National Congress at age 25 and led the Defiance Campaign at 34.
Nelson Mandela was born in 1918 and lived to age 95. Anyone born before 1918 is older than Nelson. Anyone over 95 is older than Nelson ever was.
Born
July 18, 1918
Mvezo, South Africa
World pop: ~1.8B
Died
December 5, 2013
World pop: ~7.2B
Nelson's age at death
95
Your age
20
Are you older than Nelson Mandela?
No — Nelson Mandela was born in 1918. You were born in 2006, making you 88 years younger. Nelson lived to age 95. You are currently 20, so you are not yet older than Nelson was when he died.
At your age (20), Nelson hadn't yet reached his first major milestone. Nelson was 25 when he joined the African National Congress — that's 5 years from now for you.
Nelson's Life Timeline
Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, in Mvezo, a small village in South Africa. He grew up in a rural setting and was influenced by the traditional Xhosa culture. Mandela attended the University of Fort Hare and later the University of Witwatersrand, where he studied law. His early life was marked by a growing awareness of the injustices of apartheid, which would shape his future activism.
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Mandela became involved in anti-colonial and African nationalist politics in the 1940s, joining the African National Congress (ANC) in 1943. He was a key figure in the Defiance Campaign of 1952 and was arrested in 1962, leading to a life sentence for sabotage in 1964. After 27 years in prison, he was released in 1990, becoming a symbol of the struggle against apartheid. In 1994, he was elected as South Africa's first Black president, overseeing the transition from apartheid to a multiracial democracy.
Mandela's legacy is profound, as he is celebrated worldwide for his role in promoting peace and reconciliation. After serving one term as president, he focused on various humanitarian efforts, including the fight against HIV/AIDS. Nelson Mandela passed away on December 5, 2013, at the age of 95, leaving behind a legacy of courage, resilience, and the pursuit of justice that continues to inspire generations.
Joined the African National Congress
Nelson Mandela was 25 years old when he joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1943. This marked the beginning of his formal involvement in the anti-apartheid movement, where he would become a leading figure in the struggle for racial equality in South Africa.
Nelson Mandela was 25 years old when he joined the African National Congress in 1943. Are you older than Nelson was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Led the Defiance Campaign
Nelson Mandela was 34 years old when he led the Defiance Campaign in 1952. This campaign was a significant act of civil disobedience against apartheid laws, mobilizing thousands of South Africans to resist unjust regulations.
Nelson Mandela was 34 years old when he led the Defiance Campaign in 1952. Are you older than Nelson was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Sentenced to life imprisonment
Nelson Mandela was 46 years old when he was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964 for his anti-apartheid activities. This sentence drew international attention to the injustices of apartheid and solidified his status as a global symbol of resistance.
Nelson Mandela was 46 years old when he sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964. Are you older than Nelson was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Released from prison
Nelson Mandela was 72 years old when he was released from prison in 1990 after 27 years. His release marked a pivotal moment in South African history, signaling the beginning of the end of apartheid.
Nelson Mandela was 72 years old when he released from prison in 1990. Are you older than Nelson was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Was elected as South Africa's first Black president
Nelson Mandela was 76 years old when he was elected as South Africa's first Black president in 1994. This historic election represented a significant achievement in the struggle for civil rights and equality in the nation.
Nelson Mandela was 76 years old when he was elected as South Africa's first Black president in 1994. Are you older than Nelson was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Established the Nelson Mandela Foundation
Nelson Mandela was 85 years old when he established the Nelson Mandela Foundation in 2003. The foundation focuses on promoting his legacy and addressing social injustices, continuing his work for human rights.
Nelson Mandela was 85 years old when he established the Nelson Mandela Foundation in 2003. Are you older than Nelson was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Passed away
Nelson Mandela was 95 years old when he passed away on December 5, 2013. His death marked the end of an era, but his legacy of peace, reconciliation, and social justice continues to inspire people around the world.
Nelson Mandela was 95 years old when he passed away in 2013. Are you older than Nelson was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Age by Year
| Year | Age | Notable Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1918 | 0 | |
| 1919 | 1 | |
| 1920 | 2 | |
| 1921 | 3 | |
| 1922 | 4 | |
| 1923 | 5 | |
| 1924 | 6 | |
| 1925 | 7 | |
| 1926 | 8 | |
| 1927 | 9 | |
| 1928 | 10 | |
| 1929 | 11 | |
| 1930 | 12 | |
| 1931 | 13 | |
| 1932 | 14 | |
| 1933 | 15 | |
| 1934 | 16 | |
| 1935 | 17 | |
| 1936 | 18 | |
| 1937 | 19 | |
| 1938 | 20 | |
| 1939 | 21 | |
| 1940 | 22 | |
| 1941 | 23 | |
| 1942 | 24 | |
| 1943 | 25 | joined the African National Congress |
| 1944 | 26 | |
| 1945 | 27 | |
| 1946 | 28 | |
| 1947 | 29 | |
| 1948 | 30 | |
| 1949 | 31 | |
| 1950 | 32 | |
| 1951 | 33 | |
| 1952 | 34 | led the Defiance Campaign |
| 1953 | 35 | |
| 1954 | 36 | |
| 1955 | 37 | |
| 1956 | 38 | |
| 1957 | 39 | |
| 1958 | 40 | |
| 1959 | 41 | |
| 1960 | 42 | |
| 1961 | 43 | |
| 1962 | 44 | |
| 1963 | 45 | |
| 1964 | 46 | sentenced to life imprisonment |
| 1965 | 47 | |
| 1966 | 48 | |
| 1967 | 49 | |
| 1968 | 50 | |
| 1969 | 51 | |
| 1970 | 52 | |
| 1971 | 53 | |
| 1972 | 54 | |
| 1973 | 55 | |
| 1974 | 56 | |
| 1975 | 57 | |
| 1976 | 58 | |
| 1977 | 59 | |
| 1978 | 60 | |
| 1979 | 61 | |
| 1980 | 62 | |
| 1981 | 63 | |
| 1982 | 64 | |
| 1983 | 65 | |
| 1984 | 66 | |
| 1985 | 67 | |
| 1986 | 68 | |
| 1987 | 69 | |
| 1988 | 70 | |
| 1989 | 71 | |
| 1990 | 72 | released from prison |
| 1991 | 73 | |
| 1992 | 74 | |
| 1993 | 75 | |
| 1994 | 76 | was elected as South Africa's first Black president |
| 1995 | 77 | |
| 1996 | 78 | |
| 1997 | 79 | |
| 1998 | 80 | |
| 1999 | 81 | |
| 2000 | 82 | |
| 2001 | 83 | |
| 2002 | 84 | |
| 2003 | 85 | established the Nelson Mandela Foundation |
| 2004 | 86 | |
| 2005 | 87 | |
| 2006 | 88 | |
| 2007 | 89 | |
| 2008 | 90 | |
| 2009 | 91 | |
| 2010 | 92 | |
| 2011 | 93 | |
| 2012 | 94 | |
| 2013 | 95 | passed away |
