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In PHOTOS: When Mandela left MJ, Beckham, Carla Bruni star struck
Here are some candid photographs of anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela from his public life.
Former South African President Nelson Mandela, who passed away on Thursday, came to symbolise the struggle of oppressed people around the world.
Imprisoned for 27 years for his opposition to apartheid, Mandela came out of prison in 1990, expressing no bitterness towards his tormentors.
Instead, he championed reconciliation among South Africa's polarised races, espousing the principles of nation-building and cooperative governance.
Mandela is also known for taking a strong stand against the giant world powers -- especially in defence of Africa -- as President, he was unrestrained in embracing the African National Congress' former allies, such as Libya's Muammar Gadaffi and Palestinian Liberation Organisation leader Yasser Arafat, in spite of criticism from the United States.
After handing over the reigns of the presidency to Thabo Mbeki in 1999, Mandela played a key role as middleman in crisis-hit areas such as Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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When Mandela left MJ, Beckham, Carla Bruni star struck
British model Naomi Campbell (left) and former South African president Nelson Mandela before his press conference in Barcelona in this June 30, 2001 photograph. Campbell and Nelson Mandela later attended a show called "Frock and Roll" , the benefits of which went to Mandela's childrens' charity.
Photograph:Reuters
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When Mandela left MJ, Beckham, Carla Bruni star struck
Mandela chats with England soccer captain David Beckham at the former's Foundation office in Johannesburg on May 21,2003. England played a friendly match against South Africa in Durban the next day.
Photograph: Juda Ngwenya/Reuters
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When Mandela left MJ, Beckham, Carla Bruni star struck
Mandela is embraced by Palestine Liberation Organisation leader Yasser Arafat as he arrives at Lusaka airport in this photograph dated February 27, 1990.
Photograph: Howard Burditt/Reuters
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When Mandela left MJ, Beckham, Carla Bruni star struck
Mandela embraces Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres outside his office after their meeting in Johannesburg in this photograph dated September 3, 2002, during the World Summit on Sustainable Development.
Photograph: Juda Ngwenya JN/Reuters
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When Mandela left MJ, Beckham, Carla Bruni star struck
American talk show personality Oprah Winfrey with former Mandela during the Agenda for Earth Turning Ceremony for The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa in Henley on Klip south of Johannesburg in this photograph dated December 6,2002.
Photograph: Juda Ngwenya /Reuters
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When Mandela left MJ, Beckham, Carla Bruni star struck
Irish rock star Bono and Mandela pose after they met at Mandela's resident at Houghton in Johannesburg in this photograph dated May 25, 2002.
Photograph: Reuters
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When Mandela left MJ, Beckham, Carla Bruni star struck
Britain's Prince Charles shares a light moment with Mandela during a show at the Amsterdam arena, Friday in this photograph dated February 1, 2002, on the eve of the Dutch Roual wedding.
Photograph: Robin Utrecht/Reuters
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When Mandela left MJ, Beckham, Carla Bruni star struck
Mandela embraces former President of Iran Mohammad Khatami, during the 12th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Durban.
Photograph: Reuters
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When Mandela left MJ, Beckham, Carla Bruni star struck
US President Bill Clinton and Mandela peer through the bars of the cell in which Mandela spent 27 years while incarcerated by the former South African government.
Mandela showed the cell to Clinton during a tour of Robben Island, in on March 27 1988, the penal colony where he was held.
Photograph: Reuters
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When Mandela left MJ, Beckham, Carla Bruni star struck
Mandela, defying U S objections to his visit, embraces Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on the first day of his two-day state visit to the North African country, in this photograph dated October 22, 1997.
Mandela's visit was described by diplomats as the most important for Gaddafi since the United Nations clamped sanctions on Libya in 1992.
Photograph: Reuters
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When Mandela left MJ, Beckham, Carla Bruni star struck
Former triple world heavyweight boxing champion, Evander Holyfield (L) and Mandela face each other at Presidential residence in Johannesburg in this photograph dated July 7, 1997.
Photograph: Reuters
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When Mandela left MJ, Beckham, Carla Bruni star struck
Mandela guides Pope John Paul II after they met at Johannesburg International Airport September 16 at the start of the pope's first official visit to the country
Photograph: Reuters
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When Mandela left MJ, Beckham, Carla Bruni star struck
Princess Diana meets Mandela in Cape Town in this photograph taken on March 17, 1997.
Photograph: Reuters
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When Mandela left MJ, Beckham, Carla Bruni star struck
Mandela is greeted by former British Prime Minister Margarat Thatcher at 10 Downing Street on July 4, 1990 prior to their talks.
Photograph: Russell Boyce/Reuters
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When Mandela left MJ, Beckham, Carla Bruni star struck
Mandela waves after he and former US President George Bush made remarks on the South Lawn of the White House in this photograph taken June 25, 1990.
Photograph: Gary Cameron /Reuters
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When Mandela left MJ, Beckham, Carla Bruni star struck
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton poses for a photograph with Mandela, and his wife Graca Machel at his home in Qunu, South Africa, in this photograph taken on August 6, 2012.
Clinton praised the "beautiful" smile of her friend Mandela when they met at his country home during her multi-nation trade and security tour through Africa.
Photograph: Jacquelyn Martin/Reuters
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When Mandela left MJ, Beckham, Carla Bruni star struck
Mandela hugs former Cuban President Fidel Castro during a visit to the former's home in Houghton, Johannesburg in this September 2, 2001 file photo.
Photograph: Chris Kotze/Reuters
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When Mandela left MJ, Beckham, Carla Bruni star struck
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy pose with Mandela during their visit at the Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg in this photograph taken February 29, 2008.
Photograph: Remy de la Mauviniere/Reuters
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When Mandela left MJ, Beckham, Carla Bruni star struck
Mandela and Britain's Queen Elizabeth II ride in a carriage outside Buckingham Palace during his state visit to Britain in July 1996.
Photograph: Juda Ngwenya/Reuters
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When Mandela left MJ, Beckham, Carla Bruni star struck
Mandela and footballer Pele smile for photographers at Union Buildings in this photograph taken on March 24, 2005.
Photograph: Juda Ngwenya/Reuters
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When Mandela left MJ, Beckham, Carla Bruni star struck
South african actress Charlize Theron weeps when she meets former Mandela at his foundation in Johannesburg in this photograph dated March 11,2004.
Photograph: Juda Ngwenya/Reuters
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When Mandela left MJ, Beckham, Carla Bruni star struck
Former Russian President Boris Yeltsin kisses Mandela during their meeting on April 29, 1999. Yeltsin boasted of Mandela's good health, telling him that even the Communists could not bring him down.
Photograph: Reuters
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