By Reuters with NBC News World News
Published on
During Nelson Mandela's 27-year incarceration, she campaigned for her then-husband's release and for the rights of her black countrymen.
JOHANNESBURG — South Africa's Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, an anti-apartheid stalwart and wife of Nelson Mandela when he was imprisoned on Robben Island, died on Monday, her personal assistant Zodwa Zwane told Reuters. She was 81.
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Zwane gave no further details but said a statement would be released later.
During her ex-husband's 27-year incarceration for his fight against apartheid, Madikizela-Mandela campaigned for his release and for the rights of black South Africans, undergoing detention, banishment and arrest.
Nelson Mandela died in 2013 and made no mention of Madikizela-Mandela in his will.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.