Just two years after coming out from prison, Nelson Mandela announced his intention to separate from his wife of 34 years, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Mandela and Madikizela-Mandela were married in 1958, having met the previous year. The couple had two daughters, Zenani born in 1959 and Zindzi born in 1960. In 1962, Mandela was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island. The couple were re-united in 1990 after Mandela's release, however, they eventually separated. The divorce was finalised in 1996. While Madikizela-Mandela never remarried, Mandela went on to marry the former first lady of Mozambique, Graca Machel in 1998.
eventREF E-0081665Revised
13 April 1992
Nelson Mandela announces his separation from his wife, Winnie Mandela.
- Updated
- 30 Sep 2019
How we know this
- 01Smith D.(2013), Nelson and Winnie Mandela's marriage ended, but the bond was never broken from The Guardian , 6 December, [online] Available at: www.theguardian.com [Accessed: 11 April 2014]
- 02Frontline "The Separation" BOOK EXCERPT from Frontline [online] Available at: www.pbs.org [Accessed: 11 April 2014]
Last updated · 30 Sep 2019
South African History Online. (2012, April 5). Nelson Mandela announces his separation from his wife, Winnie Mandela.. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0081665
South African History Online (2012) 'Nelson Mandela announces his separation from his wife, Winnie Mandela.', South African History Online, 5 April. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0081665 (Accessed: 13 October 2026).
South African History Online, Nelson Mandela announces his separation from his wife, Winnie Mandela. [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0081665, (accessed 13 October 2026).
"Nelson Mandela announces his separation from his wife, Winnie Mandela.." South African History Online, 5 Apr. 2012, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0081665. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.
South African History Online. "Nelson Mandela announces his separation from his wife, Winnie Mandela.." South African History Online. April 5, 2012. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0081665.
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