1918 Born Rolihlahla Dalibhunga in the Eastern Cape.

Given English name, Nelson, by a teacher.

1943 Enrolled for a law degree at Witswaterand University. Joined the African National Congress

1944 Married his first wife, Evelyn Mase. They divorced in 1958 after having four children

1952 He opened a Johannesburg law practice with fellow campaigner Oliver Tambo.

1956 Charged with high treason, but the charges were dropped after a four-year trial

1958 Married Winnie Madikizela. They separated in 1992.

1960 The ANC was outlawed

1962 Arrested, convicted of sabotage and sentenced to five years in prison

1964 Jailed for life on Robben Island. While in prison his mother and eldest son died but he was not allowed to attend the funerals.

1980 The ANC, led by exiled Mr Tambo, launch an international campaign to free Mandela

1982 Transferred to Pollsmoor Prison on the mainland

1988 72,000 people sing 'Free Nelson Mandela' at a concert at Wembley Stadium, London

1990 Freed from prison after 27 years, ban on the ANC lifted by President FW de Klerk

1993 Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize

1994 Elected South Africa's first black president

1995 South Africa wins the Rugby World Cup

1998 At 80, he married Graca Machel, the widow of the former president of Mozambique

1999 Stepped down as leader and becomes a high profile HIV/Aids campaigner

2001 Diagnosed with prostate cancer

2004 Retired from public life

2005 Announced his son, Makgatho, has died of an HIV/Aids-related illness

2007 Formed The Elders group of leading world figures to tackle worldwide issues

2010 Appears at World Cup closing ceremony

2012 The first South African banknotes featuring his face went into circulation