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Home • Culture

Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures

Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures
Sowetan/Getty Images
By Essence · Updated October 24, 2020

Winnie Mandela, a woman that has made an immeasurable impact on the history of South Africa and beyond, has passed away. The former wife of late President of South Africa Nelson Mandela, she played a critical role in the anti-apartheid movement and was banished and confined several times throughout her life as she fought for justice. All the while, she possessed grace, strength, and beauty. Take a look back at her life in pictures.

01
1957
Winnie marries Nelson Mandela.
Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures
OFF/AFP/Getty Images
02
1958
Winnie and Nelson are all smiles in Ponderland, South Africa.
Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures
API/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
03
1977
Winnie during her exile in Brandfort, South Africa.
Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures
Peter Magubane/Avusa Archives/Gallo Images/Getty Images
04
1987
Winnie raises a clenched fist during the funeral of Sello Motau, senior member of the “Umkhonto We Sizwe.”
Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures
WALTER DHLADHLA/AFP/Getty Images
05
1986
Winnie arriving at the town of Brandfort, where she was banished for nine years, bringing boxes of toys for local children.
Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures
GIDEON MENDEL/AFP/Getty Images
06
1990

Winnie leaves the Tokoza police station Wednesday, after being detained briefly. 

Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures
John ParkinAP Photo/John Parkin
07
1990
Winnie on an 8 city US tour with her husband.
Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures
Fred Watkins/Ebony Collection
08
1990
Winnie and Nelson in Washington D.C. for a tribute and luncheon at the White House with President George Bush.
Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures
Nelson Mandela, accompanied by his wife Winnie, on an eight-city U.S. tour. The Mandelas stop in Washington, D.C. for a tribute and luncheon at the White House with President George Bush. (Fred Watkins/Ebony Collection)
09
1990
Winnie and Nelson are honorerd with weeklong festivities during “Nelson Mandela Week” in New York City.
Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures
Moneta Sleet, Jr./Ebony Collection
10
1990
Winnie and Nelson attend a ceremony in his honour at Trocadero Square on the Plaza of Freedom and Human right in Paris.
Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures
DANIEL JANIN/AFP/Getty Images
11
1990
Winnie and Nelson play with their grandchild Bambata at their Soweto home.
Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures
WALTER DHALDHLA/AFP/Getty Images
12
1990
Winnie in n Cape Town, South Africa.
Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures
Eric BOUVET/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
13
1990
Winnie and Nelson Mandela enjoy a warm welcome at Queens Park, Toronto.
Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures
Colin McConnell/Toronto Star via Getty Images
14
1990
Winnie poses for a portrait in South Africa.
Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures
Kucharz/ullstein bild via Getty Images
15
1993
Winnie waves during the unveiling of the tombstone for slain South African Communist Party leader Chris Hani at Elsburg Park cemetery
Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures
WALTER DHLADHLA/AFP/Getty Images
16
1994
Winnie participates in a mass rally addressed by Nelson Mandela, in Mmabatho.
Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures
WALTER DHLADHLA/AFP/Getty Images
17
2004
Winnie arrives at the Union Buildings in Pretoria for the inauguration of President Tahbo Mbeki.
Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures
ANNA ZIEMINSKI/AFP/Getty Images
18
2009
Winnie and Gwen Ramokgopa attend a meeting in honor of Nelson Mandela at Freedom Park in Pretoria, South Africa.
Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures
Foto24/Gallo Images
19
2010
Winnie looks on during the funeral of anti apartheid stalwart and Women’s Rights activist Fatima Meer.
Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures
RAJESH JANTILAL/AFP/Getty Images
20
2011
Winnie at the opening of the renovated Soweto campus of the University of Johannesburg.
Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures
Foto24/Gallo Images/Getty Images
21
2013
Winnie speaks to the media following an interfaith prayer service for Nelson Mandela.
Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures
J. Countess/Getty Images
22
2013
Winnie holds a copy of her book “491 Days: Prisoner Number 1323/6” in Johannesburg.
Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures
AP Photo / Felix Dlangamandla,Pool
23
2013
Winnie sits with Idris Elba, who played the role of Nelson Mandela in the movie “Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom” at the movie’s premiere in Johannesburg.
Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures
ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images
24
2013
Winnie attends a service during a day of prayer in honor of her late ex-husband Nelson Mandela.
Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures
Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
25
2014
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is all smiles during her 78th birthday celebrations at the Mandela restaurant in Soweto, South Africa.
Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures
Leon Sadiki/City Press/Gallo Images/Getty Images
26
2015
Winnie attends ANC’s 103rd birthday celebrations at Cape Town Stadium, South Africa.
Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures
Ashraf Hendricks/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
27
2016
Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures
Gallo Images/Getty Images
28
2017
Winnie Mandela's Life In Pictures
Sowetan/Getty Images