Nelson Mandela was born Rolihlahla Mandela on July 18, 1918. The South African anti-apartheid activist and politician served as the first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. Mandela was photographed by Karsh in June, 1990, just four months after Mandela’s release from prison. Brian Mulroney, Prime Minister of Canada at the time, greeted Mandela at the airport and accompanied him to the Chateau Laurier for his portrait. Read what happened.

When Mandela died in 2013, Apple used this Karsh portrait on their home page to commemorate the great man’s life.