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Desmond Tutu

Desmond Tutu

Born 1931 · Age 94

South African Anglican bishop, theologian and anti-apartheid and human-rights activist; first Black Bishop of Johannesburg and first Black Archbishop of Cape Town; Nobel Peace Prize laureate and chair of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Total Events
58
Career Span
90 years
Peak Net Worth
$1,500,000

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Life & Career Timeline

1931Age 0

Born in Klerksdorp, Transvaal

Desmond Mpilo Tutu born to Allen Dorothea Mavoertsek Mathlare and Zachariah Zelilo Tutu in Klerksdorp, Transvaal, Union of South Africa.

10/7/1931Source
Confidence
100%
1932Age 0

Baptised into Methodist Church

Tutu was baptised into the Methodist Church (family later changed denominations twice to Anglican).

6/1/1932Source
Confidence
90%
1936Age 5

Family moved to Tshing; started primary education

Family moved to Tshing where his father became a school principal; Tutu began primary schooling and served as a server at St Francis Anglican Church.

1/1/1936Source
Confidence
90%
1947Age 16

Contracted tuberculosis; mentored by Trevor Huddleston

Tutu spent about 18 months hospitalised with tuberculosis; visited regularly by priest Trevor Huddleston, a formative influence.

1/1/1947Source
Confidence
95%
1950Age 19

Completed national exams

Returned to school in 1949 and took national exams late 1950, receiving a second-class pass.

1/1/1950Source
Confidence
90%
1951Age 20

Entered Pretoria Bantu Normal College (teacher training)

Won a government scholarship to train as a teacher; served in student leadership roles and met Nelson Mandela at a debating event.

1/1/1951Source
Confidence
95%
1954Age 23

Graduated from University of South Africa (UNISA)

Completed five correspondence courses at UNISA and graduated with a BA (UNISA) while training as a teacher.

1/1/1954Source
Confidence
95%
1955Age 23

Married Nomalizo Leah Shenxane

Legally married and later had a Roman Catholic wedding ceremony to Leah; the couple went on to have four children.

7/2/1955Source
Confidence
85%
1956Age 24

Left teaching to train for Anglican priesthood

Resigned from teaching in protest at the Bantu Education Act and enrolled at St Peter's Theological College to train as an Anglican priest.

1/1/1956Source
Confidence
95%
1956Age 24

First child born (Trevor)

First son Trevor born (April 1956).

4/1/1956Source
Confidence
90%
1960Age 28

Daughter Naomi born

Daughter Naomi was born in August 1960 while Tutu was at theological college / early ministry.

8/1/1960Net Worth: $300Source
Confidence
90%
1960Age 29

Ordained as Anglican deacon

Ordained (deacon) at St Mary's Cathedral (December 1960); shortly after appointed assistant curate at St Alban's Parish, Benoni.

12/1/1960Net Worth: $200Source
Confidence
95%
1961Age 30

Ordained as Anglican priest

Ordained as an Anglican priest (1961) after theological studies at St Peter's Theological College; served as assistant curate and in parish ministry.

1/1/1961Net Worth: $300Source
Confidence
95%
1962Age 30

Moved to the UK to study at King's College London

Secured TEF funding and permission to move; studied theology at King's College London from 1962, served as assistant curate in Surrey.

9/1/1962Net Worth: $1,000Source
Confidence
95%
1963Age 31

Daughter Mpho Andrea born in UK

Tutu and Leah had daughter Mpho while they were living in the curate's flat in Golders Green, London.

1/1/1963Net Worth: $1,500Source
Confidence
90%
1966Age 35

Returned to southern Africa to teach at the Federal Theological Seminary

Returned from the UK and joined Fedsem in Alice teaching doctrine, Old Testament and Greek; Leah worked as library assistant.

1/1/1966Net Worth: $3,000Source
Confidence
95%
1966Age 34

Completed MA at King's College London

Completed postgraduate theological studies (MA/ThM) at King's College London in 1966; dissertation on Islam in West Africa.

9/1/1966Net Worth: $2,500Source
Confidence
95%
1970Age 38

Joined University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland (UBLS)

Accepted a higher-paying teaching post at UBLS in Roma, Lesotho (January 1970), became chaplain and warden of student residences.

1/1/1970Net Worth: $5,000Source
Confidence
90%
1972Age 40

Appointed Theological Education Fund (TEF) director for Africa

Accepted TEF post based in England (March 1972) assessing grants and touring theological institutions across Africa.

1/1/1972Net Worth: $8,000Source
Confidence
90%
1973Age 42

Presented paper on Black theology in New York

Attended Union Theological Seminary conference (1973) and presented a seminal paper on Black theology, shaping his theological stance.

1/1/1973Net Worth: $9,000Source
Confidence
90%
1975Age 43

Elected Dean of St Mary's Cathedral, Johannesburg (first Black dean)

Elected (March 1975) and installed August 1975 as the first Black dean of St Mary's Cathedral, a high-profile appointment.

3/1/1975Net Worth: $12,000Source
Confidence
95%
1976Age 44

Elected Bishop of Lesotho

Elected Bishop of Lesotho (March 1976) and consecrated in July 1976; enthroned in Maseru in August 1976; learned Sesotho and visited rural diocese.

3/1/1976Net Worth: $14,000Source
Confidence
95%
1976Age 44

Wrote letter warning PM about tensions before Soweto uprising

Wrote to Prime Minister B.J. Vorster warning about youth tensions linked to Bantu education; Soweto uprising followed in June 1976.

5/1/1976Net Worth: $14,000Source
Confidence
95%
1978Age 47

Appointed General-Secretary, South African Council of Churches

Became general-secretary of the SACC (1978–1985), elevating his platform to become a leading opponent of apartheid and advocate of sanctions.

1/1/1978Net Worth: $20,000Source
Confidence
95%
1980Age 49

South African government revoked his passport (temporarily)

Government revoked or confiscated Tutu's passport to curtail his international campaigning; public outcry led to restoration.

1/1/1980Net Worth: $25,000Source
Confidence
80%
1982Age 51

Published 'The Divine Intention' / 'Crying in the Wilderness'

Published collections of lectures and sermons (Crying in the Wilderness / The Divine Intention) collecting his anti-apartheid addresses.

1/1/1982Net Worth: $180,000Source
Confidence
90%
1983Age 52

Published 'Hope and Suffering'

Published 'Hope and Suffering' (1983), a collection of sermons and speeches during a critical period of struggle.

1/1/1983Net Worth: $190,000Source
Confidence
90%
1984Age 53

Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize

Received the Nobel Peace Prize (1984) for his work against apartheid; international recognition greatly increased his profile.

1/1/1984Net Worth: $200,000Source
Confidence
98%
1985Age 54

Became Bishop of Johannesburg (first Black)

Installed as the first Black Anglican Bishop of Johannesburg (1985), at the height of township uprisings and anti-apartheid struggle.

1/1/1985Net Worth: $220,000Source
Confidence
95%
1986Age 55

Became President of the All Africa Conference of Churches

Elected president of the All Africa Conference of Churches (1986), increasing continental travel and influence.

1/1/1986Net Worth: $260,000Source
Confidence
90%
1986Age 54

Installed Archbishop of Cape Town (first Black)

Elected and installed 7 September 1986 as the first Black Archbishop of Cape Town and primate of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.

9/7/1986Net Worth: $250,000Source
Confidence
95%
1987Age 55

Delivered commencement at Oberlin College

Delivered a commencement address at Oberlin College (25 May 1987) — an example of his frequent international speaking engagements.

5/25/1987Net Worth: $260,000Source
Confidence
90%
1988Age 57

Became Chancellor, University of the Western Cape

Took the chancellorship of the University of the Western Cape (Bellville), a symbolic role in higher education (circa 1988).

1/1/1988Net Worth: $300,000Source
Confidence
90%
1989Age 58

Led anti-apartheid march in Cape Town

Led a major anti-apartheid march of roughly 30,000 people through Cape Town, demonstrating mass mobilisation against apartheid.

1/1/1989Net Worth: $280,000Source
Confidence
95%
1990Age 58

Hosted Nelson Mandela's first night of freedom

On 11 February 1990, Mandela spent his first night as a free man at the official residence of the Archbishop of Cape Town.

2/11/1990Net Worth: $320,000Source
Confidence
98%
1994Age 63

Coined 'Rainbow Nation'

After the 1994 election and Mandela's victory, Tutu popularised the term 'Rainbow Nation' to describe post-apartheid South Africa's diversity.

1/1/1994Net Worth: $350,000Source
Confidence
95%
1995Age 64

Appointed Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)

Mandela selected Tutu to chair the TRC in 1995 to investigate human rights abuses under apartheid and facilitate national healing.

1/1/1995Net Worth: $400,000Source
Confidence
98%
1996Age 65

Retired as Archbishop of Cape Town; became Archbishop Emeritus

Retired from the primacy in 1996 after a decade as Archbishop; continued public work and took visiting academic posts.

1/1/1996Net Worth: $450,000Source
Confidence
95%
1996Age 65

Visiting Professor at Emory University

Served as Visiting Professor of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta for approximately two years following retirement.

1/1/1996Net Worth: $480,000Source
Confidence
90%
1996Age 64

TRC held first hearings

Truth and Reconciliation Commission began public hearings (April 1996) under Tutu's chairmanship to investigate abuses of the apartheid era.

4/1/1996Net Worth: $420,000Source
Confidence
95%
1997Age 66

Diagnosed with prostate cancer

Publicly disclosed a diagnosis of prostate cancer in 1997 to raise awareness of the disease.

1/1/1997Net Worth: $480,000Source
Confidence
95%
1997Age 66

TRC controversy: ANC legal action to block report release

After the TRC report (1998) the ANC sought to block some aspects of its release; Tutu publicly rebuked attempts to obstruct publication.

1/1/1997Net Worth: $500,000Source
Confidence
90%
1998Age 67

Truth and Reconciliation Commission report published

TRC issued its final report in 1998, attributing most blame to apartheid state forces while also criticising ANC abuses; ANC attempted legal action to block release.

1/1/1998Net Worth: $500,000Source
Confidence
95%
1999Age 68

Published 'No Future Without Forgiveness'

Released a memoir and reflection on his TRC experience, 'No Future Without Forgiveness' (1999), widely read internationally.

1/1/1999Net Worth: $520,000Source
Confidence
95%
2003Age 72

Received Academy of Achievement Golden Plate Award

Awarded the Golden Plate Award by the American Academy of Achievement (2003), recognising lifetime accomplishments.

1/1/2003Net Worth: $600,000Source
Confidence
90%
2004Age 73

Published 'God Has a Dream'

Published 'God Has a Dream: A Vision of Hope for Our Time' (2004), a collection of personal reflections.

1/1/2004Net Worth: $600,000Source
Confidence
90%
2007Age 76

Co-founded The Elders; named chair

Joined Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter, Kofi Annan and others to form The Elders, a group of global statesmen and moral leaders; Tutu named to chair.

1/1/2007Net Worth: $650,000Source
Confidence
95%
2009Age 77

Awarded U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom

Received the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama (12 August 2009) for his lifelong contributions to human rights.

8/12/2009Net Worth: $700,000Source
Confidence
98%
2010Age 79

Published 'Made for Goodness'

Published 'Made for Goodness: And Why This Makes All the Difference' (2010), exploring human nature and morality.

1/1/2010Net Worth: $800,000Source
Confidence
90%
2010Age 78

Announced effective retirement from public life

Announced on 22 July 2010 that he would effectively withdraw from public life in October 2010; stated 'Don't call me, I'll call you.'

7/22/2010Net Worth: $750,000Source
Confidence
95%
2010Age 79

Began retirement (turned 79)

On 7 October 2010 (his 79th birthday), he began his retirement from active public life though he continued some advocacy and writing.

10/7/2010Net Worth: $800,000Source
Confidence
95%
2012Age 81

Received Mo Ibrahim Foundation award

Awarded an honour by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation recognising his lifelong commitment to 'speaking truth to power' (2012).

1/1/2012Net Worth: $850,000Source
Confidence
90%
2013Age 82

Awarded the Templeton Prize

Received the Templeton Prize (2013) recognising spiritual insights and contributions to humanity.

1/1/2013Net Worth: $1,000,000Source
Confidence
95%
2013Age 82

Publicly campaigned for LGBTQ rights

Launched an international campaign for LGBTQ rights in Cape Town and famously said, 'I would not worship a God who is homophobic.'

1/1/2013Net Worth: $1,000,000Source
Confidence
95%
2014Age 82

Urged British Parliament to allow assisted dying

Spoke publicly in July 2014 urging the British parliament to allow assisted dying, citing concerns about prolonged suffering.

7/12/2014Net Worth: $1,050,000Source
Confidence
90%
2016Age 85

Co-authored 'The Book of Joy' with the Dalai Lama

Published The Book of Joy (2016) with the Dalai Lama, reflecting on lasting happiness; part of his late-career publications.

1/1/2016Net Worth: $1,200,000Source
Confidence
90%
2021Age 90

90th birthday thanksgiving service at St George's Cathedral

Appeared frail in a wheelchair but attended a special thanksgiving service at St George's Cathedral in Cape Town marking his 90th birthday.

10/7/2021Net Worth: $1,500,000Source
Confidence
95%
2021Age 90

Died in Cape Town

Desmond Tutu died on 26 December 2021 in Cape Town at the age of 90.

12/26/2021Net Worth: $1,500,000Source
Confidence
100%

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