FW de Klerk, the former president of South Africa and the last white person to lead the country, has died at the age of 85.
Mr de Klerk, who was also a key figure in the nation's transition to democracy, had been diagnosed with cancer this year, a spokesman said.
He was head of state between September 1989 and May 1994.
In 1990 he announced he was releasing anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela, leading to multi-party polls in 1994.
Mr de Klerk shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Mr Mandela for leading the "miracle" transition from white rule in the country. However, his role in the transition to democracy has always been highly contested.
