Nelson Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician, and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He became a symbol of hope and perseverance for his fight against racial discrimination and his advocacy for human rights and equality. Before his presidency, Mandela was a prominent leader in the African National Congress (ANC) and was imprisoned for 27 years for his anti-apartheid activities. Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for his role in ending apartheid and promoting peace and forgiveness in South Africa. He passed away on December 5, 2013, at the age of 95.