Winnie Mandela: Her life and times

26 September 1934: Born at Bizana, Pondoland.

1957: Met Nelson Mandela while working as a social worker in Soweto.

1958: Married Nelson.

1960: ANC banned while Ms Mandela is serving on the national executive of the ANC Women's League.

1962: Forced to give up her job after her husband is banned under the Suppression of Communism Act. Nelson jailed in November.

1969: Held in solitary confinement for 17 months.

1977: Banished from Soweto to Brandfort. Harassment continues, but she defiantly continues to promote the struggle at home and abroad.

1985: Defies banning order to return to Soweto after Brandfort home is firebombed. At Christmas arrested in car chase broadcast across the world as she tries to return to Soweto once more. Government relents.

1986: During a speech makes her infamous statement that liberation will be achieved with tyres and matches.

1988: Attack on her Soweto house by locals angry at the Mandela United Football Club.

1989: Abduction of Stompie Seipei Moketsi. Liberation movement blames her for team's activities and tells ANC she is out of control. She ignores her husband's demands to give up the team.

11February 1990: Nelson Mandela released.

1991: She is charged with assault and kidnapping in connection with Stompie's death. Sentenced to six years, later commuted to pounds 2,000 fine.

April 1992: Nelson Mandela announces separation. Ms Mandela is having an affair with a young lawyer. She is working her way back up the party structures.

1993: Suspended from Women's League for "total disloyalty" to the ANC.

April 1994: Implicated in misappropriation of ANC funds but still makes the parliamentary list.

1995: 11 league members quit in protest at her "undemocratic behaviour".

1996: The Mandelas divorce.

1997: Despite the efforts of the leadership Ms Mandela wins second term as Women's League president.