Tutu’s life in key dates
October, 7, 1931: He is born in the small town of Klerksdorp, west of Johannesburg, his mother a domestic worker and his father a teacher.
1961: Is ordained as an Anglican priest, having studied theology after working as a school teacher.
1976: He is appointed the bishop of neighbouring Lesotho.
1978: Becomes the first black secretary general of the South African Council of Churches, a highly influential grouping with 15 million members that is active in the struggle against apartheid.
1984: Is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his opposition to South Africa's apartheid regime. The same year he becomes the first black bishop of Johannesburg and calls for an embargo against the white-minority regime.
1986: He is ordained as the first black Archbishop of Cape Town and head of the Anglican Church for Southern Africa, covering two million followers.
1996: Two years after the end of apartheid, he heads the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that begins hearings into atrocities committed under the previous regime.
1997: Diagnosed with prostate cancer and undergoes repeated treatment over the following years.
2007: Helps to found The Elders group of global leaders working for peace and human rights, acting as its chairman until 2013.
2010: Aged 79, he announces his retirement from public life.
2013: He declares he will no longer be voting for the African National Congress, South Africa's long-ruling party, citing inequality, violence and corruption among other reasons.
2016: Joined advocates calling for the right to assisted dying.
2021: Tutu makes a rare public appearance to receive his Covid-19 vaccine. He emerges from hospital in a wheelchair, and waves but does not speak.
DESMOND TUTU IN HIS OWN WORDS
"Did he have weaknesses? Of course he did, among them his steadfast loyalty to his organisation and to some of his colleagues who ultimately let him down. ... But I believe he was saintly because he inspired others powerfully."
At Mandela's death, 2013
"I would not worship a God who is homophobic and that is how deeply I feel about this. I would refuse to go to a homophobic heaven. No, I would say sorry, I mean I would much rather go to the other place. I am as passionate about this campaign as I ever was about apartheid."
Speech at a UN's gay rights campaign, 2013
"I give great thanks to God that he has created a Dalai Lama. Do you really think, as some have argued, that God will be saying: 'You know, that guy, the Dalai Lama, is not bad. What a pity he's not a Christian'? I don't think that is the case, because, you see, God is not a Christian."
Speech at Dalai Lama's birthday, June 2, 2006