By Press Association 2021
Julian Assange speaks from the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy in London
Throughout his tumultuous life, Julian Assange has commanded loyalty from family, friends and legions of supporters.
To his allies, the 49-year-old Australian is a political provocateur, campaigner, journalist, and freedom of speech hero.
His public image is larger than life – blown up on the side of a mobile hoarding which circled the Old Bailey as he fought for his liberty.
But behind the scenes, divorced Assange is an intensely private person, with a small clique of lifelong friends used to his character quirks.
He kept his partner Stella Moris under wraps, despite the couple having two children while he was at the Ecuadorian embassy in London.