Upon hearing the news of Nelson Mandela’s death on Thursday, Dec. 5, many celebrities expressed condolences on social media sites. Oprah Winfrey was one of those celebs and released the following statement on her website, Twitter and Instagram.
“One of the great honors of my life was to be invited to Nelson Mandela’s home, spend private time and get to know him. He was everything you’ve ever heard and more — humble and unscathed by bitterness. And he always loved to tell a good joke. Being in his presence was like sitting with grace and majesty at the same time.
He will always be my hero. His life was a gift to us all.”
The former president of South Africa appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in Sept. of 2000 prior to her 10-day visit with him at his home in South Africa.
She credits Mandela for being the influence that ignited her mission to launch her philanthropic efforts in South Africa. She pledged $10 million toward a South African school, which she opened in January 2007.
