Nelson Mandela a South African activist known, for spending 27 years of his life behind bars, for fighting against apartheid died yesterday at the age of 95.

Earlier this year we reported that Mandela was in the hospital in critical condition because of a lung infection. The infection had been a recurring health problem for the former president of South Africa. His 27 year imprisonment during apartheid caused him to get tuberculosis; a bacterial infection, due to staying in a damp cell reported The Grio in 2012. Although he had surgery the infection can reoccur.

Mr. Mandela’s fight against oppression made him an icon not just in his native country of South Africa, but around the world. He became part of a long list of freedom fighters that fought for freedom and equality for all, while never succumbing to the level of their oppressors. While people around the globe mourned the loss of an exceptional man and leader, celebrities took the time to send out tweets remembering a man that did so much for others in his life time.

Oprah instagramed a picture of her and Nelson Mandela:

Idris Elba, who played Mandela in the recent biopic of him, Nelson Mandela: A long Walk to Freedom tweeted about the honor he felt to be able to play Nelson Mandela.

Jennifer Hudson who played Nelson Mandela’s first wife, Winnie Mandela, in the movieWinnie Mandela tweeted about how we can all learn from him.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.