F. W. de Klerk was a South African politician who served as the country’s 7th state president, from August 1989 to May 1994, and as its first deputy president, from 1994 to 1996, in Nelson Mandela's administration. He was a prominent proponent of the anti-apartheid movement, even though his father was one of the originators of the apartheid system of racial segregation that had been a significant part of the South African government for decades. Initially, during his tenure at various ministerial posts, de Klerk had supported the apartheid system. However, that changed after he became the 'National Party' leader and South Africa was plagued by racial violence. De Klerk eventually emerged as a key figure who worked alongside Mandela to end the apartheid policy. His efforts earned him a 'Nobel Peace Prize.' However, that, too, came with controversies for various reasons. De Klerk also faced criticism for his alleged extramarital affair.
