LONDON, England (CNN) -- Nelson Mandela, the indomitable anti-apartheid campaigner who emerged from decades of imprisonment to lead his country into a new era, will this week be joined audience of thousands and a star-studded guest list to mark his 90th birthday.
Statesmen, royalty, major figures from the worlds of business, sport and entertainment will gather in London to honor the achievements of Mandela, who despite retiring from public life five years ago, has never left the public eye.
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, film stars Robert de Niro, Will Smith and Forest Whittaker and TV presenter Oprah Winfrey are among those attending celebrations that will climax with the three-hour concert on June 27.
To mark the occasion, CNN has produced a package of feaures looking at the man behind the legend.
Exclusive interviews with his wife Graca Machel, his grandchildren and those who shared his journey through prison and presidency are accompanied by photo galleries, profiles and interactive features on CNN.com.
CNN will also have behind the scenes coverage of the Hyde Park concert, featuring some of the biggest names in music -- among them Annie Lennox, Simple Minds, Queen, Leona Lewis and the Soweto Gospel Choir.
Friday's event also marks the 20 year anniversary of the Free Mandela concert -- featuring some of the same artists -- that was held in London to demand his release from prison.
Proceeds from Friday's concert will go to the 46664 charity, the AIDS campaign named after the number Mandela wore while imprisoned by South Africa's apartheid authorities.
He was released in 1990 after 27 years behind bars, and was elected South Africa's first black president in 1994.
According to 46664, Friday's concert will see Mandela officially bow out of campaigning for the charitable causes that he has championed since he left public office.
"You all know that I am supposed to be retired, but my friends and the charitable organizations that bear my name want to use my 90th birthday year to raise funds to continue our work and so of course I want to help them," Mandela said in a statement released by 46664.
"So we have a bargain -- I am going to London and they will host a concert in Hyde Park, which will raise awareness of our continuing work and much needed funds."
Nelson Mandela has been classified as a terrorist since the time of Apartheid in South Africa 
Nelson Mandela has officially been taken off the US list of terrorists by the United States government. This comes after a statement by Condoleezza Rice, the US Secretary of State, who said that it was a "rather embarrassing matter that I still have to waive in ... the great leader Nelson Mandela," back in April.

The ruling, which also applied to all members of the African National Congress means that Mandela can travel to the United States without being approved by the Secretary of State.

Nelson Mandela has recently been in the media due to his upcoming 90th birthday. As part of the celebrations, a concert was held in Hyde Park, attended by many influential politicians, including Bill Clinton, former US president.

Nelson Mandela was a campaigner against apartheid who served one term as president of South Africa.


Last week the government of North Korea was removed from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism. This announcement was made as a reward to North Korea for turning over all documents related to its controversial nuclear program. Pyongyang turned over to China documents related to its plutonium core and waste activities.