Nelson Mandela, the former president of South Africa and the man who fought to end apartheid, died at the age of 95 on Thursday.
See also: 11 Inspiring Moments to Remember Nelson Mandela
While tributes to his life almost immediately flooded Twitter, many of those came from world leaders, a selection of which are posted below:
Nelson Mandela was inspirational. On behalf of NZ I’d like to express my sincere condolences to his family and all South Africans.
— John Key (@johnkeypm) December 5, 2013
A great light has gone out in the world. Nelson Mandela was a hero of our time. I've asked for the flag at No10 to be flown at half mast. — David Cameron (@David_Cameron) December 5, 2013
 
In a way, Mandela was both the “George Washington” and “Abraham Lincoln” of his country. We're so fortunate to have lived in his time. — Senator Harry Reid (@SenatorReid) December 5, 2013
 
Mandela led his country with a quiet moral authority that directed his own path from prisoner to president http://t.co/WoDe0qO05A — Speaker John Boehner (@SpeakerBoehner) December 5, 2013
 
No one did more in our time for the values & aspirations of the UN: Ban Ki-moon on #Mandela. — United Nations (@UN) December 5, 2013
"Let us pause and give thanks for the fact that Nelson Mandela lived." —President Obama — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 5, 2013
 
 
We mourn the loss of Nelson Mandela and offer our condolences to his family and the people of South Africa. http://t.co/xKvzdqI10g — Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) December 5, 2013
 
I will never forget my friend Madiba. pic.twitter.com/UX21ZZG7cg — Bill Clinton (@billclinton) December 5, 2013
 
In the modern age, Nelson Mandela will be remembered as an unsurpassed healer of human hearts. — Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) December 5, 2013
 
All of Canada mourns with the family of Nelson Mandela and the citizens of South Africa. The world has lost one of its great moral leaders. — Stephen Harper (@pmharper) December 5, 2013
 
Nelson Madiba Mandela was the hero for all freedom loving people. He will always be remembered for what he gave the world - human dignity.
— Amama Mbabazi (@AmamaMbabazi) December 5, 2013
 
Madiba- President (1st,post-apartheid SA) passes on-but what is certain he will continue to live in the hearts of many of us # rest in peace
— Paul Kagame (@PaulKagame) December 5, 2013
President George W. Bush issued a statement on Thursday evening from Dallas, Texas:
“Laura and I join the people of South Africa and the world in celebrating the life of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. President Mandela was one of the great forces for freedom and equality of our time. 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. Laura and I send our heartfelt sympathy to President Mandela’s family and to the citizens of the nation he loved.”
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
Image: Getty Images, Susan Winters Cook