Rumors Raise Concerns About Mandela's Health

...compared to married couples: research

(NEWSER) - Getting a divorce can do more than just bum you out: It can lead to an increased risk of early death. A new review of 32 studies published over 27 years finds that divorced adults have a 23% greater chance of dying early than married couples do, the Arizona Republic reports. That risk is similar to what you'd face if you started smoking or drinking a lot, stopped exercising, or gained a lot of weight. The studies that were reviewed encompassed 6.5 million adults living in the US and 10 other countries. More»

Daughters, mother join her on South African trip

(NEWSER) - Arriving in South Africa today, Michelle Obama met Nelson Mandela for the first time and said her husband was unhappy he couldn’t join them. “Michelle Obama certainly convinced the dignitaries she is excited to be here, and said her husband is 'pouty' that he isn't,” tweeted a journalist at a South African newspaper. Michelle Obama’s daughters, mother, niece, and nephew were there, however, to meet with Mandela and his wife, Graca Machel. More»

'No need to panic': surgeon-general

(NEWSER) - Nelson Mandel’s longer-than-usual hospital visit sparked a flurry of concern and press speculation , but the former South African president left the ward today, having responded well to treatment for acute respiratory infection, the AP reports. The 92-year-old will receive care at home, said the surgeon-general. “Dr. Mandela is in high spirits and has been visited by his family and friends,” he noted. “Medically, at present, there is no need to panic.” More»

Former South African president receiving many bedside visits

(NEWSER) - Nelson Mandela is in the hospital for the second day for what his office claims are routine tests—but his unusually long stay has sparked a media frenzy, especially after news that he’s had numerous visitors, including his ex-wife. The 92-year-old former South African president has rarely been seen since 2004, the AP notes; he has appeared increasingly frail, and his last public appearance was in July, at the World Cup closing ceremony, the New York Times adds. More»

Leader's writings released in new memoir

(NEWSER) - Nelson Mandela sat in a prison cell for 27 years, alone and separated from his family, with not much more to do than write—waves of words documenting his anguish that are now being released in a new memoir, Conversations With Myself. Some excerpts, as per the BBC:

• To wife Winnie Mandela, he wrote in 1969 that his main problem was "my waking up without you close to me, the passing of the day without my having seen you."
• To his daughters, aged 9 and 10, as both he and Winnie were imprisoned in 1969: "Now you will get no birthday or Christmas parties, no presents or new dresses no shoes or toys." Later: "Long may you live as orphans."
• A year later, he wrote Winnie that "I feel I have been soaked in gall, every part of me, my flesh, bloodstream, bone and soul, so bitter am I to be completely powerless to help you in the rough and fierce ordeals you are going through."