Celebrity Birthdays for July 18 – Nelson Mandela, Sir Richard Branson and More

Here’s a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today:

Nelson Mandela

Age: 93

Occupation: South African Activist and Politician

Known For: His tireless anti-apartheid work, surviving 27 years in a brutal prison, being the first South African president elected in a fully representative democratic election, and winning the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize

Sir Richard Branson

Age: 61

Occupation: Entrepreneur

Known For: Masterminding Virgin Records and Virgin Atlantic Airways, his environmental work, a wicked and self-deprecating sense of humor, and generally using his $4 billion fortune for good and not evil

John Glenn

Age: 90

Occupation: Astronaut

Known For: Being the first American to orbit the Earth and the only astronaut to fly in both the Mercury and Space Shuttle programs

Paul Verhoeven

Age: 73

Occupation: Director

Known For: Films such as ‘RoboCop,’ ‘Total Recall,’ ‘Basic Instinct,’ and the so-awful-it’s-awesome cult film ‘Showgirls’

Jim Bob Duggar

Age: 46

Occupation: Babymaker

Known For: Fathering half the population of Arkansas with his wife Michelle, naming them all things that start with J, and starring on the reality show ’19 Kids and Counting’