Melson Mandela's life in PICTURES

Nelson Mandela in 1937, around the time he began college. As a youth, he enjoyed gardening and boxing.

Mandela, third from left, was arrested more than once for advocating against apartheid. In 1962, he and several others were tried in the infamous Rivonia trial, which charged the accused with engaging in sabotage and conspiracy to overthrow the government.

With his first wife Evelyn, in 1944, left. They had four children before divorcing in 1958. The same year, Mandela married Winnie, right, they had two daughters. He would ultimately divorce her as well and remarry again in 1998.

Convicted in 1964, Mandela and seven others were sentenced to life in prison. As they were taken away from the Palace of Justice, they raised their fists in defiance through the barred windows of the prison van.

This is the moment when Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years in company of his wife,Winnie Mandela.

A former South African president, shaking hands with Nelson Mandela, when he won the election in 1994.

Mandela poses with the FIFA World Cup Trophy. The tournament was hosted by South Africa in 2010. That was the first time that Africa would host the world in this event.

Nelson Mandela discharged from hospital after his battle with Pneumonia in 2013.