Desmond Tutu

About Desmond Tutu

Archbishop Desmond Tutu was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his lifelong struggle to bring equality, justice and peace to his native South Africa. Between 1986 and 1996, he served as Archbishop of Cape Town. In 1995, former South African President Nelson Mandela asked him to lead the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which became a model of national forgiveness and coexistence. Archbishop Tutu is currently chairperson of the Elders, an international group of world leaders, peace activists and human rights advocates charged with helping to end conflicts and solve global problems (www.theelders.org). His most recent books are God Has a Dream: A Vision of Hope for Our Time and God's Dream, written with Douglas Carlton Abrams. He continues to play an important role worldwide as a spokesperson for truth and forgiveness. Archbishop Tutu lives in South Africa with his wife, Leah. They have four children and seven grandchildren.