A short biography on Nelson Mandela's first wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

South Africa Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, popularly known as Winnie Mandela dies at age 81.

Before her death, she held several government positions, including Deputy Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology.

Her Xhosa name is Nomzamo ("She who tries").

She was born in the village of eMbongweni, Bizana, Pondoland, which currently is now South Africa's Cape Province.

Her parents were both school teachers. Her dad was a history teacher and her mum was a science teacher.

She lost her mum when she was nine years old due to the separation of her family.

In 1956, she earned with a degree in social work and few years afterwards she earned a bachelor's degree in international relations from the university of Witwatersrand. She secured her first job as a social worker at Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto.

In 1957,she met Nelson Mandela, a lawyer and anti-apartheid activists.  She met Mandela when she was 22 years old, standing at a bus terminal in Soweto when she first met Mandela who secured a lunch date with her. They got married in 1958 and had two daughter together, Ezinhle ROOI (born 1959) and Zindzi (born 1960).

While Nelson Mandela was in jail for 27 years, Madikizela-Mandela became his public face. She was imprisoned by the state security services on numerous occasions and was locked up for several months in solitary confinement.

On April 2, 2018 Winnie Mandela's passed on and her death was confirmed by Zodwa Zwane, her personal assistant.