Desmond Mpilo Tutu was born in Klerksdorp, South Africa, on Oct. 7, 1931. He entered the Anglican ministry in 1958 and received his licentiate in theology in 1960 from St. Peter’s Theological College, Johannesburg. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1961 and then earned his bachelor of divinity (with honors) and master of theology degrees from King’s College, University of London, England. From 1967 to 1978, he served in increasingly prominent positions in seminaries, universities, and church organizations and was named bishop of Lesotho.

In the wake of the 1976 Soweto uprising, South Africa was in turmoil. Bishop Tutu accepted the post of general secretary of the South African Council of Churches (SACC), whose priorities were justice and reconciliation and an end to apartheid. Under his guidance, SACC took a prominent position in South African spiritual and political life, challenging white society and the government and assisting victims of apartheid. Bishop Tutu became both a national and an international figure. Inevitably, he was heavily embroiled in controversy as he spoke out against the injustices of apartheid. For several years, he was denied a passport to travel abroad. He became a leader in the crusade for justice and racial conciliation in South Africa.  In 1984, he received the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to that cause. In 1985, he was elected bishop of Johannesburg.  

In 1986, Bishop Tutu was elevated to archbishop of Cape Town, where he worked to bridge the chasm between black and white Anglicans in South Africa. Archbishop Tutu served as a principal mediator and conciliator in the transition to democracy in South Africa. In 1995, President Nelson Mandela appointed him chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a body that probed gross human rights violations that occurred under apartheid. In 1996, he retired from office as archbishop of Cape Town and was granted the honorary title of archbishop emeritus. In recent years, Archbishop Tutu has turned his attention to the campaign against HIV/AIDS. He has made appearances around the globe to help raise awareness of the disease and its tragic consequences in human lives and suffering.   

Archbishop Tutu holds honorary degrees from more than 130 universities. He has also held distinguished academic and leadership posts in a variety of countries. He has received the Order for Meritorious Service Award (Gold) presented by President Mandela; the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Award for Outstanding Service to the Anglican Communion; the Prix d’Athene (Onassis Foundation); the Family of Man Gold Medal Award; the Mexican Order of the Aztec Medal (Insignia Grade); the Martin Luther King Jr. Non-Violent Peace Prize; the Sydney Peace Prize; and the Gandhi Peace Prize.  

His writings include "No Future Without Forgiveness" and "God Has a Dream." Though his vigorous advocacy of social justice once rendered him a controversial figure, today Archbishop Tutu is regarded as a leading moral voice and as an elder world statesman who plays a major role in reconciliation.