Leader
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 in Mvezo, South Africa. He joined the African National Congress the year he turned 25, and led the Defiance Campaign the year he turned 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.
Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 in Mvezo, South Africa and died on December 5, 2013 at the age of 95. Nelson would be 108 years old today.
Nelson Mandela would be 108 years old in 2026 and would have turned 108 on July 18, 2026. Nelson Mandela's age in every year ↓
Born
July 18, 1918
Died
December 5, 2013
World pop. at birth
~1.8B
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: he joined the African National Congress the year he turned 25. That's 5 years from now for you.
Are you older than them?
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Lived to 95
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Lived to 91
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Lived to 47
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Lived to 84
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Lived to 100
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Nelson's age vs family
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.
Read more
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 turned 25 in 1943, the year he joined the African National Congress. 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 turned 34 in 1952, the year he led the Defiance Campaign. 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 turned 46 in 1964, the year he was sentenced to life imprisonment. 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 turned 72 in 1990, the year he was released from prison. 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 turned 76 in 1994, the year he was elected as South Africa's first Black president. 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 turned 85 in 2003, the year he established the Nelson Mandela Foundation. 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 turned 95 in 2013, the year he passed away. Are you older than Nelson was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Age by year
How old was Nelson Mandela in each year?
- 2026
- Nelson Mandela would be 108 years old in 2026 and would have turned 108 on July 18, 2026.
- 1943
- Nelson Mandela was 24 at the start of 1943 and turned 25 on July 18, 1943. That year, he joined the African National Congress.
- 1952
- Nelson Mandela was 33 at the start of 1952 and turned 34 on July 18, 1952. That year, he led the Defiance Campaign.
- 1994
- Nelson Mandela was 75 at the start of 1994 and turned 76 on July 18, 1994. That year, he was elected as South Africa's first Black president.
- 2003
- Nelson Mandela was 84 at the start of 2003 and turned 85 on July 18, 2003. That year, he established the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
Nelson Mandela's age in every year
Ages change on July 18: the first number is before that birthday, the second after it.
- 19180 years old
- 19190 → 1 years old
- 19201 → 2 years old
- 19212 → 3 years old
- 19223 → 4 years old
- 19234 → 5 years old
- 19245 → 6 years old
- 19256 → 7 years old
- 19267 → 8 years old
- 19278 → 9 years old
- 19289 → 10 years old
- 192910 → 11 years old
- 193011 → 12 years old
- 193112 → 13 years old
- 193213 → 14 years old
- 193314 → 15 years old
- 193415 → 16 years old
- 193516 → 17 years old
- 193617 → 18 years old
- 193718 → 19 years old
- 193819 → 20 years old
- 193920 → 21 years old
- 194021 → 22 years old
- 194122 → 23 years old
- 194223 → 24 years old
- 194324 → 25 years old
- 194425 → 26 years old
- 194526 → 27 years old
- 194627 → 28 years old
- 194728 → 29 years old
- 194829 → 30 years old
- 194930 → 31 years old
- 195031 → 32 years old
- 195132 → 33 years old
- 195233 → 34 years old
- 195334 → 35 years old
- 195435 → 36 years old
- 195536 → 37 years old
- 195637 → 38 years old
- 195738 → 39 years old
- 195839 → 40 years old
- 195940 → 41 years old
- 196041 → 42 years old
- 196142 → 43 years old
- 196243 → 44 years old
- 196344 → 45 years old
- 196445 → 46 years old
- 196546 → 47 years old
- 196647 → 48 years old
- 196748 → 49 years old
- 196849 → 50 years old
- 196950 → 51 years old
- 197051 → 52 years old
- 197152 → 53 years old
- 197253 → 54 years old
- 197354 → 55 years old
- 197455 → 56 years old
- 197556 → 57 years old
- 197657 → 58 years old
- 197758 → 59 years old
- 197859 → 60 years old
- 197960 → 61 years old
- 198061 → 62 years old
- 198162 → 63 years old
- 198263 → 64 years old
- 198364 → 65 years old
- 198465 → 66 years old
- 198566 → 67 years old
- 198667 → 68 years old
- 198768 → 69 years old
- 198869 → 70 years old
- 198970 → 71 years old
- 199071 → 72 years old
- 199172 → 73 years old
- 199273 → 74 years old
- 199374 → 75 years old
- 199475 → 76 years old
- 199576 → 77 years old
- 199677 → 78 years old
- 199778 → 79 years old
- 199879 → 80 years old
- 199980 → 81 years old
- 200081 → 82 years old
- 200182 → 83 years old
- 200283 → 84 years old
- 200384 → 85 years old
- 200485 → 86 years old
- 200586 → 87 years old
- 200687 → 88 years old
- 200788 → 89 years old
- 200889 → 90 years old
- 200990 → 91 years old
- 201091 → 92 years old
- 201192 → 93 years old
- 201293 → 94 years old
- 201394 → 95 years old
