Famous Friends of Mandela

The global icon inspired many during his lifetime.

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Great Leaders - Ever the global traveler, Nelson Mandela had fans and friends all around the world. — Britt Middleton Then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton shared a tender moment with him near his boyhood village of Qunu, South Africa, in 2012. (Photo: AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, Pool)

All in the Details - During her 2011 trip to South Africa, First Lady Michelle Obama carved out time for a reading session with Mandela at his home. (Photo: Michelle Obama/Facebook)

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All in the Details - During her 2011 trip to South Africa, First Lady Michelle Obama carved out time for a reading session with Mandela at his home. (Photo: Michelle Obama/Facebook)

Happy Birthday to Him - In 2008, Will Smith joined him at the "46664 - Give One Minute of Your Life to AIDS" concert in London, part of his 90th birthday celebrations. (Photo: Mike Marsland/WireImage)

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Happy Birthday to Him - In 2008, Will Smith joined him at the "46664 - Give One Minute of Your Life to AIDS" concert in London, part of his 90th birthday celebrations. (Photo: Mike Marsland/WireImage)

Coming Together - Rwandan President Paul Kagame visited the former South African president in Johannesburg in 2009. (Photo: Denis Farrell - Pool/Getty Images)

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Coming Together - Rwandan President Paul Kagame visited the former South African president in Johannesburg in 2009. (Photo: Denis Farrell - Pool/Getty Images)

America Bound - In 2005, President George W. Bush invited Mandela to the White House, where they shared a few laughs in the Oval Office. (Photo: Mannie Garcia/Getty Images)

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America Bound - In 2005, President George W. Bush invited Mandela to the White House, where they shared a few laughs in the Oval Office. (Photo: Mannie Garcia/Getty Images)

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Stars Align - In 2004, Oscar-winning actress and South Africa native Charlize Theron wiped away tears during her special meeting with Mandela in Johannesburg, where the esteemed leader congratulated her on her achievement. (Photo: Naashon Zalk/Getty Images)

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Stars Align - In 2004, Oscar-winning actress and South Africa native Charlize Theron wiped away tears during her special meeting with Mandela in Johannesburg, where the esteemed leader congratulated her on her achievement. (Photo: Naashon Zalk/Getty Images)

Rocking Good Time - Mandela joins musicians and "46664 - Give One Minute of Your Life to AIDS" concert ambassadors Roger Taylor, Peter Gabriel, Annie Lennox, Brian May and Yusuf Islam at a VIP reception launching the publication of coffee table book 46664 the Concert in London in 2004. (Photo: MJ Kim/Getty Images)

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Rocking Good Time - Mandela joins musicians and "46664 - Give One Minute of Your Life to AIDS" concert ambassadors Roger Taylor, Peter Gabriel, Annie Lennox, Brian May and Yusuf Islam at a VIP reception launching the publication of coffee table book 46664 the Concert in London in 2004. (Photo: MJ Kim/Getty Images)

Say "Cheese!" - Flanked by Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair and President Bill Clinton, the African leader smiled for the cameras while attending a gala night in London in 2003. (Photo: REUTERS/Chris Young/POOL MD)

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Say "Cheese!" - Flanked by Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair and President Bill Clinton, the African leader smiled for the cameras while attending a gala night in London in 2003. (Photo: REUTERS/Chris Young/POOL MD)

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Let's Get Golfing - Three South African presidents, Mandela, Thabo Mbeki and F.W de Klerk, came together for the kick-off of the Presidents Cup golf tournament between the United States and the International team in George, South Africa, in 2003. (Photo: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Together at Last - Beyoncé attended a press conference for the "46664 - Give One Minute of Your Life to AIDS" concert near Cape Town, South Africa, where Mandela addressed the crowd in 2003. (Photo: Getty Images)

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Together at Last - Beyoncé attended a press conference for the "46664 - Give One Minute of Your Life to AIDS" concert near Cape Town, South Africa, where Mandela addressed the crowd in 2003. (Photo: Getty Images)

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Bend It Like Beckham - Soccer star David Beckham got his kicks with Mandela when visiting Johannesburg in 2003. (Photo:  REUTERS/Juda Ngwenya PP03090058 JN/JV)

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Bend It Like Beckham - Soccer star David Beckham got his kicks with Mandela when visiting Johannesburg in 2003. (Photo:  REUTERS/Juda Ngwenya PP03090058 JN/JV)

Saluting Oprah Winfrey - “It can be said that there are four basic and primary things that the mass of people in a society wish for: to live in a safe environment, to be able to work and provide for themselves, to have access to good public health and to have sound educational opportunities for their children. Currently we as a society may be struggling in each of those four areas, but we must remain confident that with the personal commitment of each and every one of us, we can and will overcome the obstacles towards development.” —From Mandela’s speech at the opening of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy, January 2, 2007. (Photo: REUTERS/Juda Ngwenya)

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Championing the Cause - The African leader joined Oprah Winfrey at a ceremony celebrating the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in Johannesburg in 2002. (Photo: REUTERS/Juda Ngwenya)

A Beautiful Day With Bono - Nelson Mandela shared a moment with U2 front man Bono at his Johannesburg home in 2002. (Photo: REUTERS/Juda Ngwenya JN/AA)

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A Beautiful Day With Bono - Nelson Mandela shared a moment with U2 front man Bono at his Johannesburg home in 2002. (Photo: REUTERS/Juda Ngwenya JN/AA)

A Little Swing Music - In 2001, he bopped to the music with Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien during a ceremony to make Mandela an honorary Canadian citizen in Quebec. (Photo: REUTERS/Shaun Best JY/SV)

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A Little Swing Music - In 2001, he bopped to the music with Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien during a ceremony to make Mandela an honorary Canadian citizen in Quebec. (Photo: REUTERS/Shaun Best JY/SV)

Put 'em Up! - British heavyweight boxer Lennox Lewis playfully sparred with Mandela when the two met in Brakpan, South Africa, in 2001. (Photo: JN/ - Rueters)

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Put 'em Up! - British heavyweight boxer Lennox Lewis playfully sparred with Mandela when the two met in Brakpan, South Africa, in 2001. (Photo: JN/ - Rueters)

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The Harsher Side - Despite his saintly image, Mandela could be harsh. When black journalists mildly criticized his government, he painted them as stooges of the whites who owned the media. Whites with complaints were sometimes dismissed as pining for their old privileges. To critics of his closeness to Fidel Castro and Moammar Gadhafi, Mandela insisted he wouldn't forsake supporters of the anti-apartheid struggle. (Photo: REUTERS/Chris Kotze/Files)

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Revolutionary Leaders - In 2001, Mandela welcomed former Cuban President Fidel Castro, who visited his home in Johannesburg, in 2001. (Photo: REUTERS/Chris Kotze/Files)

A Royal Visit - Queen Elizabeth II partied with Mandela at a banquet in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1995. (Photo: Tim Graham/Getty Images)

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A Royal Visit - Queen Elizabeth II partied with Mandela at a banquet in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1995. (Photo: Tim Graham/Getty Images)

Whitney Sings for Mandela - In 1988 an all-gospel set was planned for the Nelson Mandela Tribute Concert in London, instead the audience was blessed with Cissy Houston joining Whitney for the gospel song “I Believe.”(Photo: Media24/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

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Touching Moment - In 1994, then-President Mandela consoled a weeping Whitney Houston, overcome by emotion after their first meeting, in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo: Media24/Gallo Images)

SOUTH AFRICA

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Close Ties - Mandela and longtime friend and former African National Congress president Oliver Tambo reunited for an event in 1992. (Photo: STR New / Reuters)