Frederick William de Klerk, South Africa’s last apartheid president, who released Nelson Mandela from prison, has died at the age of 85.
According to a statement by F.W. de Klerk Foundation today, the former president died after a battle with cancer at his home in Cape Town.
“It is with the deepest sadness that the FW de Klerk Foundation must announce that former President FW de Klerk died peacefully at his home in Fresnaye earlier this morning following his struggle against mesothelioma cancer. Mr De Klerk was 85 years old. He is survived by his wife Elita, his children Jan and Susan and his grandchildren,” the statement reads.
“The family will, in due course, make an announcement regarding funeral arrangements.”