( CNN ) -- In a rare and candid interview , CNN 's Robyn Curnow spoke to Nelson Mandela 's wife of 10 years , Graca Machel , to find out more about the man from the person who arguably knows him the best . Here , Machel reveals that Mandela 's courageous and eventful life has left him with only one regret . Machel : `` We have enjoyed this relationship in a really special way . '' How would you describe your relationship with Nelson Mandela ? He is simply a wonderful husband . We met in life at time we were both settled . We were grown up , we were settled , we knew the value of a companion , of a partner . Because of that , we have enjoyed this relationship in a really special way . It 's not like when you are still young , you are too demanding . No , no . We just accept each other as we are . And we enjoy every single day as if it is the last day . Because of that , it has been wonderful to have him as a husband.. Do you look at him and go , `` I married Nelson Mandela ? '' At the beginning , yes . I already had this very deep involvement with him . Then sometimes . It 's ... there was a sort of conflict between the man I loved and the myth . Particularly because people were saying things , and I could n't figure out the two would go together . I know him as a human being , a person and this myth surrounding him . The aura around him was a bit confusing , but then I learnt to live with it , in terms of separating the two . Is he comfortable in his own skin ? Absolutely . More than comfortable . He is so happy with himself . At the end of his life also he realizes , although he does n't express it . He realized that he achieved the things he had as goals in life . So is he at peace with himself ? Yeah , really . It 's peace , fulfillment . Best way to characterize it is to be at peace with himself , but also at peace with the world . Does he have any regrets ? Ya , only one I know of . You feel he would have really liked much more input in the development of his children . Only thing . Although he tried his best . Madiba ( Mandela ) was not given the opportunity to bring up his own children . He left them . Went to prison when they were very young . He did n't have much opportunity to do those things that a parent a father does to read stories to child . How has he dealt with old age , for somebody who seems to be such a fighter , doer , has the frailty of old age frustrated him ? I think the only thing that frustrates him is walking . When he tries , he feels , he puts it as his knees do n't cooperate ... that 's how he puts it . He is not anxious about getting old . No , no , no . He feels he would like to move freely . That this the kind of frustration I sense in him . Birthday wishes ? I have already given him the best present I could and thought of , 10 years ago when we got married . I looked back sometimes ... It sounds crazy , someone of my age at the time . I was 52 ; I married a man of 80 . It was n't a problem . I was so happy to marry him . I think after that any other thing is much less , because it will never surpass the possibility of us being together , sharing a life . That is the best I could have given him . Because it is your wedding anniversary ? When we married , we did n't know we 'd be given 10 years together . We have been very lucky . Very grateful for that .
Grace 's wife describes life with her ` ` wonderful . '' Gracel ' says Mandela regrets the time he spent with his wife . Mandela also frustrated by the incapacities of old age , she says .