Family

1. Mandela has been married three times - first to Evelyn Ntoko Mase from 1944 until 1957, next to Winnie Madikizela from 1957 until 1996 and finally to Graca Machel, from 1998 onwards.
2. Throughout his life, Mandela has had six children: Madiba Thembekile, Makgatho Lewanika, Makaziwe, Maki, Zenani and Zindziswa.
3. It was during his time in the ANCYL that Mandela met Evelyn; they married on the 5th of October 1944.
4. When Mandela was starting his legal career, Evelyn accused him of adultery and they separated, later divorcing.
5. His second marriage was to fellow MK activist Winnie. She stood by him during his entire time in prison, and was there to greet him when he was released.
6. Sadly, this marriage also fell apart - but this time in much darker circumstances. Winnie was accused - and later found guilty - of setting herself up as the leader of a criminal gang (which she called the Mandela United Football Club) which tortured and killed people including children.
7. Ever the good guy, Mandela believed in her innocence throughout her trial - even gaining funds to defend her from one of his friends, Colonel Gaddafi of Libya. He only changing his opinion when she was actually found guilty. They divorced soon afterwards.
8. On his 80th birthday, Mandela married Graca Machel, his third wife. She had previously been married to Samora Machel, the president of Mozambique who had been killed in a plane crash twelve years beforehand.
9. He actually publicly stated in 1998 that he was “in love with a remarkable lady”, and was convinced to marry her by Archbishop Desmond Tutu who wanted him to set a good example for young people.
10. Mandela’s first daughter with Winnie is called Zenani and in 2012 was appointed the ambassador to Argentina. She is the first of his children to enter public office.