Nelson Mandela
When he was only 12 years old, Nelson Madela's biological father passed away due to lung disease. Mandela was later adopted by Chief Jongintaba Dalindyebo, the leader of the Thembu people as a way to honor his father. He relocated from the remote village he was born into the Chief's capital city residence. With this new livelihood, he was able to receive an education and become the activist we know today.