Tributes for Nelson Mandela from all over the world flood Twitter

By Daily Mail Reporters

PUBLISHED: 22:39 EST, 5 December 2013 | UPDATED: 22:39 EST, 5 December 2013


South African anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela died aged 95 at his Johannesburg home on Thursday after a prolonged lung infection, plunging his nation and the world into mourning for a man hailed by global leaders as a moral giant.

Politicians and celebrities from President Barack Obama to Rihanna posted their tributes to the great South African upon hearing of his death today.

The tributes began flooding in almost immediately for a man who was an iconic global symbol of struggle against injustice and of racial reconciliation.

U.S. President Barack Obama said the world had lost "one of the most influential, courageous and profoundly good human beings that any of us will share time with on this earth".

British Prime Minister David Cameron called Mandela "a hero of our time" and said "a great light has gone out in the world"

Read below for a selection of some of the many posted to Twitter in the hours after Mandela's death



Global reaction: President Obama took the time to tweet his reaction to the death of former South African president Nelson Mandela

Global reaction: President Obama took the time to tweet his reaction to the death of former South African president Nelson Mandela

British Prime Minister David Cameron will lower the flag at 10 Downing Street to half mast in honor of Nelson Mandela

British Prime Minister David Cameron will lower the flag at 10 Downing Street to half mast in honor of Nelson Mandela

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said that the world was a poorer place without Nelson Mandela

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said that the world was a poorer place without Nelson Mandela

Hilary Clinton remembered a man she has met many times over the past 20 years

Hilary Clinton remembered a man she has met many times over the past 20 years

Former US President Bill Clinton posted this poignant picture of Mandela upon his passing

Former US President Bill Clinton posted this poignant picture of Mandela upon his passing

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates worked with Mandela to help the suffering of millions in South Africa who are HIV Positive and have AIDS

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates worked with Mandela to help the suffering of millions in South Africa who are HIV Positive and have AIDS

Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger tweeted his thoughts on hearing of Mandela's death

Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger tweeted his thoughts on hearing of Mandela's death

Golfing great Tiger Woods offered this heartfelt message

Golfing great Tiger Woods offered this heartfelt message


Justin Timberlake produced his own Twitter tribute to Nelson Mandela

Justin Timberlake produced his own Twitter tribute to Nelson Mandela

Oscar winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow tweeted her distress at the news

Oscar winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow tweeted her distress at the news

Former American Idol judge Paula Abdul offered her condolences on hearing the news

Former American Idol judge Paula Abdul offered her condolences on hearing the news

Singer Nick Lachey remembered one of his more poignant memories at the passing of the former South African leader

Singer Nick Lachey remembered one of his more poignant memories at the passing of the former South African leader

Lost actor Ian Somerhalder offers more religious sentiments in his tribute

Lost actor Ian Somerhalder offers more religious sentiments in his tribute

The supermodel labeled Nelson Mandela a hero

The supermodel labeled Nelson Mandela a hero

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory star Anna Sophia Robb thanked Nelson Mandela

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory star Anna Sophia Robb thanked Nelson Mandela

House star Olivia Wilde wished the former South African president a safe journey

House star Olivia Wilde wished the former South African president a safe journey

The former Victoria's Secret model posted a picture of herself with the former South African president and political prisoner

The former Victoria's Secret model posted a picture of herself with the former South African president and political prisoner

Beyonce Knowles' sister Solange reminded her followers that Nelson Mandela's greatest lesson was forgiveness

Beyonce Knowles' sister Solange reminded her followers that Nelson Mandela's greatest lesson was forgiveness

Former American Idol winner Jordin Sparks compared Nelson Mandela to an angel

Former American Idol winner Jordin Sparks compared Nelson Mandela to an angel

Ex-Beatle Ringo Starr gave his usual peace and love offering to Nelson Mandela

Ex-Beatle Ringo Starr gave his usual peace and love offering to Nelson Mandela

Nicole Polizzi aka Snooki from Jersey Shore paid her respects

Nicole Polizzi aka Snooki from Jersey Shore paid her respects

Nicky Hilton, the sister of Paris Hilton wished peace on Nelson Mandela

Nicky Hilton, the sister of Paris Hilton wished peace on Nelson Mandela

Top Gun star Val Kilmer offered his condolences over the death of Nelson Mandela

Top Gun star Val Kilmer offered his condolences over the death of Nelson Mandela

Victoria's Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio believes that Nelson Mandela inspired the world

Victoria's Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio believes that Nelson Mandela inspired the world

Legendary actress Goldie Hawn believes a light has gone out in this world

Legendary actress Goldie Hawn believes a light has gone out in this world

Former Victoria's Secret model Miranda Kerr tweeted an inspirational message from Nelson Mandela

Former Victoria's Secret model Miranda Kerr tweeted an inspirational message from Nelson Mandela

Nicki Minaj believes that Nelson Mandela lived the life of a king

Nicki Minaj believes that Nelson Mandela lived the life of a king

South African Oscar winning actress Charlize Theron tweeted her thoughts

South African Oscar winning actress Charlize Theron tweeted her thoughts

Oscar winning actor Jamie Foxx tweeted his tribute

Oscar winning actor Jamie Foxx tweeted his tribute

Bajan singer Rihanna was short and sweet with her tribute

Bajan singer Rihanna was short and sweet with her tribute

Boxer Mike Tyson followed Nelson Mandela's example of forgiveness in his life as others offered it to him

Boxer Mike Tyson followed Nelson Mandela's example of forgiveness in his life as others offered it to him

Television mogul Simon Cowell tweeted his sadness at the passing of Mandela

Television mogul Simon Cowell tweeted his sadness at the passing of Mandela

Legendary American journalist Barbara Walters tweeted her thoughts on the passing of Nelson Mandela

Legendary American journalist Barbara Walters tweeted her thoughts on the passing of Nelson Mandela

Director Spike Lee gives his reaction to the death of Nelson Mandela

Director Spike Lee gives his reaction to the death of Nelson Mandela

Samuel L. Jackson was forthright in his praise of the former South African president

Samuel L. Jackson was forthright in his praise of the former South African president

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