WASHINGTON - Leaders, celebrities and entertainers across the world paid high tributes to Nelson Mandela Thursday after the former South African president died peacefully in Johannesburg at the age of 95.
South African President Jacob Zuma announced on Thursday night that Mandela had “departed,” adding, “Our nation has lost its greatest son.”
Zuma said, “His tireless struggle for freedom earned him the respect of the world. His humility, his compassion and his humanity earned him their love.”
In New York, the UN Security Council, which was in session when Mandela’s death was announced, representatives stood spontaneously and observed a minute’s silence in honor of the anti-apartheid icon.
US President Barack Obama issued a heartfelt homage to the fallen icon in a nationally televised address, praising Mandela for achieving “more than could be expected of any man.”
“We have lost one of the most influential, courageous, and profoundly good human beings that any of us will share time with on this Earth,” Obama said in a nationally televised address shortly after news of
Mandela’s death was announced. “He no longer belongs to us — he belongs to the ages.”
“His journey from a prisoner to a president embodied the promise that human beings — and countries — can change for the better,” Obama said. “And the fact that he did it all with grace and good humor, and an ability to acknowledge his own imperfections, only makes the man that much more remarkable.”
Just moments after his death was announced to the world by President Zuma, Obama delivered his own televised address, explaining that the former revolutionary’s activism inspired his own progressive streak.
“I am one of the countless millions who drew inspiration from Nelson Mandela’s life,” Obama said. “My very first political action, the first thing I ever did that involved an issue or a policy or politics, was a protest against apartheid.”
Mandela’s passing drew sincere reaction from other politicians across the nation as well.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron saluted Mandela as “a hero of our time.”“A great light has gone out in the world,” Cameron tweeted.
Former US President Bill Clinton,  who was the first serving American President to visit South Africa, praised the late icon as “one of (the world’s) finest human beings” and “a true friend.”
“History will remember Nelson Mandela as a champion for human dignity and freedom, for peace and reconciliation,” Clinton said in a statement.
 “We will remember him as a man of uncommon grace and compassion, for whom abandoning bitterness and embracing adversaries was not just a political strategy but a way of life.”
 Chinese President Xi Jinping said, “With arduous and extraordinary efforts, he led the people of South Africa to success in the struggle against apartheid, making a historic contribution to the birth and development of a new South Africa.”
 Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II said, “He worked tirelessly for the good of his country, and his legacy is the peaceful South Africa we see today.”
 Russian President Vladimir Putin said “Mandela, having gone through the most difficult ordeals, was committed to the end of his days to the ideals of humanism and justice.”
 Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said, “The Palestinian people will never forget his historic statement that the South African revolution will not have achieved its goals as long as the Palestinians are not free.”
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said, “Only because of such a great man like Nelson Mandela is it possible that particular people in Africa and elsewhere are able to enjoy freedom and human dignity. We have to learn the wisdom and determinations and commitment of Mr. Mandela to make this world better for all.”
Former President George W Bush, meanwhile, called Mandela “one of the great forces for freedom and equality of our time.”
“Laura and I join the people of South Africa and the world in celebrating the life of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela,” Bush said in a statement. “He bore his burdens with dignity and grace, and our world is better off because of his example. This good man will be missed, but his contributions will live on forever.”
American civil rights leader Jesse Jackson said Mandela has left an “everlasting imprint.”
“Nelson Mandela was a giant of immense and unwavering intellect, and moral authority. He chose reconciliation over retaliation.
He challenged the course of history,” Jackson added.
Mandela, who led South Africa’s transition from white-minority rule in the 1990s after nearly three decades in prison, was one of the towering political figures of the 20th century.
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali also immediately expressed his fondness for the late leader.
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Mandela,” Ali said in a statement provided to NBC News. “His was a life filled with purpose and hope; hope for himself, his country and the world.”
Britain’s Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton received the news of Mandela’s passing as they attended the premiere of “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” which chronicles the leader’s storied life.
‘We were just reminded what an extraordinary and inspiring man Nelson Mandela was. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. It’s very sad,” Prince William reportedly said as he departed the theater.
One of Mandela’s daughters, Zindzi Mandela, was also in attendance at the premiere, on behalf of her family. She was reportedly told of her father’s deteriorating condition just before the film began.
 Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi said, “He made us all understand that nobody should be penalised for the colour of his skin, for the circumstances into which he is born. He also made us understand that we can change the world.”
  Pope Francis said, “I pray that the late president’s example will inspire generations of South Africans to put justice and the common good at the forefront of their political aspirations.... I ask the Lord to console and strengthen all who mourn his loss.”
 Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai said, “I have learned so much from Nelson Mandela and he has been my leader. He is a perpetual inspiration for me and millions of others around the world.”
 Former South African president FW de Klerk said, “I believe that his example will live on and that it will continue to inspire all South Africans to achieve his vision of non-racialism, justice, human dignity and equality for all.”
 Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, “A giant among men has passed away. This is as much India’s loss as South Africa’s. He was a true Gandhian.”
 Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama said, “The best tribute we can pay to him is to do whatever we can to contribute to honouring the oneness of humanity and working for peace and reconciliation as he did.”
 Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan said, “A source of inspiration to oppressed peoples all over the world.”
 Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, said, “He bequeathed us the understanding that we can and should unconditionally forgive those who wrong us.”
 Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said, “Mandela knew how to look to the future of his country without hate clouding his vision.”
 US actor Morgan Freeman (who played Mandela in the film “Invictus” about the 1995 Rugby World Cup) said, “Today the world lost one of the true giants of the past century.”
South African actress Charlize Theron said, “Rest in Peace Madiba. You will be missed, but your impact on this world will live forever.”
 Microsoft founder Bill Gates said, “His grace and courage changed the world.”
Virgin group founder Richard Branson said, “Nelson Mandela redefined leadership. He showed that great things can be achieved by leading through wisdom, empathy and integrity, with no other agenda than humanity.”
American billionaire Donald Trump said, “Nelson Mandela and myself had a wonderful relationship — he was a special man and will be missed.”
World Bank president Jim Yong Kim said, “The world has lost a man who brought a rainbow of possibilities to a country that was segregated into black and white.”