Former Uruguayan President and Latin American leftist icon José “Pepe” Mujica passed away on Tuesday at the age of 89, according to current President Yamandú Orsi.
Mujica, a former guerrilla leader and President of Uruguay from 2010 to 2015, was known for his opposition to consumerism and became one of the most prominent leftist figures in Latin America.
President Orsi wrote in a post on X, “With great sorrow and grief, we mourn the passing of our comrade Pepe Mujica. The president, the activist, the leader, the guide. We will miss you dearly, dear old man,” according to Agence France-Presse.
Nicknamed “the world’s poorest president” for donating nearly all of his income to social housing programs, Mujica revealed earlier this year that his esophageal cancer, diagnosed in May 2024, had spread throughout his body. He stated that his aging body could no longer endure treatment.
At the time, he said, “Clearly, I am dying. A warrior deserves to rest.” On Tuesday evening, a vehicle carrying his body departed from his home.
Mujica: The Farmer Who Led Uruguay and Gave Up the Palace
José Mujica refused to live in the presidential palace, opting instead to stay at his modest farm near the capital, Montevideo, throughout his presidency. He donated 90% of his salary and led Uruguay through major social and political transformations, earning him the global title of “the world’s poorest president.”
Mujica governed Uruguay from 2010 to 2015 and chose a humble lifestyle, far removed from the trappings of power. He drove an old Volkswagen Beetle and kept only a small portion of his monthly salary—about $1,200—donating the rest to the poor and social organizations.
In his youth, he joined the leftist Tupamaros movement and took up arms against the military dictatorship. He was imprisoned for 14 years, much of it in solitary confinement, where he endured both physical and psychological torture. Upon his release, he re-entered politics peacefully and was later elected president.
During his presidency, he passed what were seen as revolutionary laws, including the legalization of marijuana under state supervision to curb drug trafficking. He championed openness, social justice, and support for farmers and the working class, reinforcing Uruguay’s image as a stable democracy in Latin America.
In media interviews, Mujica said poverty is not about lacking money, but “a form of modern slavery.” He added, “I am rich because I don’t need much. I chose a simple life because I believe happiness cannot be bought.”
Observers described him as the “Mandela of Latin America” for his forgiveness after prison and the “modern-day Gandhi” for his asceticism. However, Mujica rejected such comparisons, saying: “I’m just a farmer.”
He voluntarily stepped down after his term ended, refusing to seek re-election, affirming that power is “a means, not an end.” He left behind a notable political and humanitarian legacy, and a model of leadership unlike any other in Latin America.
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Former Uruguayan President and Latin American leftist icon José “Pepe” Mujica passed away on Tuesday at the age of 89, according to current President Yamandú Orsi.
Mujica, a former guerrilla leader and President of Uruguay from 2010 to 2015, was known for his opposition to consumerism and became one of the most prominent leftist figures in Latin America.
President Orsi wrote in a post on X, “With great sorrow and grief, we mourn the passing of our comrade Pepe Mujica. The president, the activist, the leader, the guide. We will miss you dearly, dear old man,” according to Agence France-Presse.
Nicknamed “the world’s poorest president” for donating nearly all of his income to social housing programs, Mujica revealed earlier this year that his esophageal cancer, diagnosed in May 2024, had spread throughout his body. He stated that his aging body could no longer endure treatment.
At the time, he said, “Clearly, I am dying. A warrior deserves to rest.” On Tuesday evening, a vehicle carrying his body departed from his home.
Mujica: The Farmer Who Led Uruguay and Gave Up the Palace
José Mujica refused to live in the presidential palace, opting instead to stay at his modest farm near the capital, Montevideo, throughout his presidency. He donated 90% of his salary and led Uruguay through major social and political transformations, earning him the global title of “the world’s poorest president.”
Mujica governed Uruguay from 2010 to 2015 and chose a humble lifestyle, far removed from the trappings of power. He drove an old Volkswagen Beetle and kept only a small portion of his monthly salary—about $1,200—donating the rest to the poor and social organizations.
In his youth, he joined the leftist Tupamaros movement and took up arms against the military dictatorship. He was imprisoned for 14 years, much of it in solitary confinement, where he endured both physical and psychological torture. Upon his release, he re-entered politics peacefully and was later elected president.
During his presidency, he passed what were seen as revolutionary laws, including the legalization of marijuana under state supervision to curb drug trafficking. He championed openness, social justice, and support for farmers and the working class, reinforcing Uruguay’s image as a stable democracy in Latin America.
In media interviews, Mujica said poverty is not about lacking money, but “a form of modern slavery.” He added, “I am rich because I don’t need much. I chose a simple life because I believe happiness cannot be bought.”
Observers described him as the “Mandela of Latin America” for his forgiveness after prison and the “modern-day Gandhi” for his asceticism. However, Mujica rejected such comparisons, saying: “I’m just a farmer.”
He voluntarily stepped down after his term ended, refusing to seek re-election, affirming that power is “a means, not an end.” He left behind a notable political and humanitarian legacy, and a model of leadership unlike any other in Latin America.
