Gallery: Mandela with celebs

Then president Nelson Mandela and US pop star Whitney Houston embrace in Johannesburg in this 1994 file photo. Photo: Reuters

Then president Nelson Mandela and US pop star Whitney Houston embrace in Johannesburg in this 1994 file photo. Photo: Reuters

Nelson Mandela and pop star Michael Jackson hug each other at the then president's official home in Cape Town in this 1996 file photo. Photo: Reuters

Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama meets with then president Nelson Mandela in Cape Town in 1996. Photo: AP

In this 1999 photo, President Nelson Mandela introduces the family of then Libyan president Muammar Gaddafi to reporters at his residence in Cape Town. Gadaffi's wife, Saafia Farkash Albarassi, right, and two daughters, Aisha, 22, left, and Hana,13. Photo: AP

Talk show host Oprah Winfrey is shown with Nelson Mandela during an episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" that originally aired on November 27, 2000. Photo: Reuters

Talk show host Larry King and former president Nelson Mandela pose for a photo after a taping of 'Larry King Live' in New York in 2000. Photo: AP/CNN

Former Cuban president Fidel Castro expresses his joy in meeting Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg in 2001. Castro who took part in the UN World Racism conference in Durban used the opportunity to visit Mandela. Photo: AFP

Former president Nelson Mandela hugs Oscar-winning SA actress Charlize Theron in Johannesburg in 2004. Photo: AFP

Former president Nelson Mandela poses with actor Presley Chwenneyagae (L), actress Terry Pheto (R) and the director Gavin Hood of the Oscar-winning film "Tsotsi" at his home in Cape Town in 2006. Photo: Reuters

Former president poses with the William Webb Ellis trophy held by Springbok coach Jake White (L) and captain John Smit (R) at the Mandela foundation in Johannesburg in 2007. Photo: AFP

In this photo released by the Portuguese Soccer Federation, Portugal's team captain Cristiano Ronaldo poses with former president Nelson Mandela at his residence in Johannesburg in 2010. The Portuguese team were in South Africa preparing for the World Cup. Photo: AP

US First Lady Michelle Obama and former president Nelson Mandela during a private visit at his home, in Houghton, Johannesburg, in 2011. Photo: AP

Former South African President Nelson Mandela gives a wave as he leaves Downing Street, in London, Friday, Nov.26, 2004, after his meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, at right. The two discussed Blair's focus on Africa as one of the major themes for his presidency next year of the G8 group of leading industrialised democracies.They also talked on other international issues, said Downing Street sources. (AP Photo / Dave Caulkin)

Naomi Campbell emraces Nelson Mandela when he met a group of models at Genadendal in 1998. Photo: Leon Muller/ Independent Newspapers

In this undated photo released by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, US actor Brad Pitt poses with Nelson Mandela after being appointed as a 46664 ambassador. Photo: AP

Nelson Mandela, left, with Annie Lennox, centre, and Yusuf Islam in London in 2004 for the launch of a book of photographs from the 46664 concert which took place in Cape Town in 2003. Photo: Alastair Grant/AP

Classical and pop music singer Josh Groban and Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg. Photo: Independent Newspapers

Nelson Mandela shows former US president Bill Clinton the view through the bars of his former cell on Robben Island. Photo: Leon Muller/Cape Argus