Nelson Mandela has died at age 95. Celebrities and government officials from around the world have been paying tribute to the Nobel Peace Prize winner, who fought to end apartheid in South Africa and became the country’s first black president in 1994. U.S. President Barack Obama, who cited Mandela as an influence, spoke shortly after South Africa’s current president, Jacob Zuma, confirmed the news. Celebrities used Facebook and Twitter to pay tribute to the international icon.

Mandela, who was 95, “achieved more than could be expected of any man,” Obama said at the White House. “We have lost one of the most influential, courageous and profoundly good human beings that any of us will share time with.”

Obama added that Mandela “belongs to the ages” now. “I am one of the countless millions who drew inspiration from Nelson Mandela’s life,” he said, reports NBC News. “Like so many around the globe, I cannot imagine my own life without the example that Nelson Mandela set...So love as I live, I will do whatever I can to learn from him.”

On Twitter right now, nearly all trending topics are linked to Mandela, as celebrities and nearly everyone else pays tribute to him. Click through to see some of the tributes.

[ new page = Social Media reactions ]

From singer Rihanna:

NFL star Larry Fitzgerald:

Lindsay Lohan:

London Mayor Boris Johnson:

Larry King shared a picture he took with Mandela:

NBA Commissioner David Stern:

[ new page = Continue ]

The Weinstein Company recently produced Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, which stars Idris Elba in the title role. Co-chairman Harvey Weinstein issued the following statement on Facebook:

“One of the privileges of making movies is having the opportunity to immortalize those who have made a profound impact on humanity. We count ourselves unspeakably fortunate to have been immersed in Nelson Mandela’s story and legacy. It’s been an honor to have been granted such proximity to a man who will go down as one of history’s greatest freedom fighters and advocates for justice. I have had the privilege of spending time with President Mandela and I can say his sense of humor was as great as his optimism. We are deeply saddened by his loss; our hearts go out to his family and the entire South African nation.”

Actor Morgan Freeman played Mandela in Clint Eastwood’s Invictus. He used Facebook to share a picture of him and Mandela.

Post by Morgan Freeman.

image: Wikimedia Commons