Nelson Mandela released from the hospital

Former South African President Nelson Mandela was released from the hospital today after more than a week of treatment for pneumonia.

The decision to release the 94-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner was made “following a sustained and gradual improvement in his general condition,” South Africa's presidency said in a statement.

Mandela will now receive "home based high care," according to the presidency.

It was the third health scare in four months for the anti-apartheid icon.

He was hospitalized briefly in early March for a check-up and spent nearly three weeks in the hospital in December with a lung infection after surgery to remove gallstones.

The governing African National Congress was pleased with the news of Mandela's release.

"Let us continue to keep President Mandela and his family in our prayers as he continues to receive treatment from home," the party said in a statement.

Mandela's history of lung problems date back to his time as a political prisoner, when he contracted tuberculosis. He was imprisoned for 27 years for his attempts to overthrow the minority white government.