Nelson Mandela Remembered by Oprah, Kofi Annan & More as Global Outpouring Continues

Heartfelt and passionate tributes continued to flow in from around the world following the death of South African president and global human-rights icon Nelson Mandela.

"One of the great honors of my life was to be invited to Nelson Mandela's home, spend private time and get to know him," Oprah Winfrey Tweeted, posting a photo on Instagram of their time together.

"He was everything you've ever heard and more – humble and unscathed by bitterness. And he always loved to tell a good joke," Oprah said. "Being in his presence was like sitting with grace and majesty at the same time. He will always be my hero. His life was a gift to us all."

Human-rights advocate Martin Luther King III, in a statement, also spoke out to pay tribute to Mandela's invaluable impact on social justice.