South African leader and international icon Nelson Mandela has died at age 95 at his Johannesburg home after struggling with health problems. Mandela dedicated his life to ending apartheid and became the first black president of South Africa.

At 21:45 GMT Thursday, South African president Jacob Zuma announced on live television that Madiba, as Mandela is known in South Africa, had passed away. The former president, who spent decades in prison, had been plagued by a lung infection in his later years, as well as suffering from severe stomach issues, prostate and eye problems.

“He is now resting,” Zuma said. “He is now at peace.”

“Our nation has lost its greatest son,” he went on. “Our people have lost their father.”