The South African anti-apartheid campaigner Winnie Madikizela-Mandela has died aged 81, her personal assistant has confirmed.
PA Zodwa Zwane confirmed her death this afternoon.
In a statement, her family she died "peacefully" after a long illness.
They said she had been "in and out of hospital since the start of the year."
Mrs Madikizela-Mandela was married to the late Nelson Mandela for nearly four decades until 1996.
She held several Government positions throughout her political career and headed the African National Congress Women's League.
Mrs Madikizela-Mandela was convicted in 1991 of killing an activist named Stompie Seipei who was found near her home with his throat cut.
She was sentenced to six years in prison, but it was reduced on appeal.
The couple separated in 1992, and he sacked her from his cabinet three years later after allegations of corruption.
She took her new surname, Madikizela-Mandela, after their divorce.
