Uruguay's transformative leader José Mujica dies at 89
At the age of 89, José "Pepe" Mujica, the former president of Uruguay, passed away on Tuesday. Due to his modest lifestyle, he was often referred to as the "world's poorest president".
What do you need to know?
- When did José Mujica die? The former president of Uruguay passed away on Tuesday at the age of 89.
- What reforms did Mujica introduce? During his presidency, he legalised abortion, legalised same-sex marriage, and supported the legalisation of marijuana.
- What was his approach to life? Mujica was known for living modestly, refusing to move into the presidential residence and donating most of his salary to charity.
What reforms did José Mujica introduce?
His protégé, current president Yamandu Orsi, announced Mujica's passing. "With deep sadness, we announce that our comrade Pepe Mujica has passed away (…) Thank you for everything you gave us and for your deep love for the nation," he wrote.
Known for his straightforwardness, the politician governed the country from 2010 to 2015. During this time, he introduced a number of reforms, widely regarded as bold and progressive. He legalised, among other things, abortion in the early stages of pregnancy, legalised same-sex marriage, and supported the legalisation of marijuana sales.
What was José Mujica's private life like?
Upon taking office, he surprised observers by refusing to move into the presidential residence and remaining in his simple, rural home outside Montevideo.
He donated most of his salary to charity and travelled around the capital in an old Volkswagen Beetle.
His modest lifestyle often led to him being called the "world's poorest president".
What were the last years of Mujica's life like?
In 2024, Mujica announced that he had been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. In January of this year, he gave an interview in which he admitted that his condition was worsening. He described his life as "a bit like a novel", with the presidency being just a small chapter, recalled the Infobae portal.
In his youth, Mujica was involved in a Marxist guerrilla movement that opposed the then-conservative government, committing thefts, kidnappings, and bombings. He spent almost 15 years of his life in prison, including the entire period of the military dictatorship that ruled Uruguay from 1973 to 1985, during which he was tortured.
After the restoration of democracy, Mujica was released and became involved in politics. From 2005 to 2008, he served as the Minister of Agriculture in the first government of the left-wing Broad Front. In 2009, he won the presidential election. After leaving office in 2015, he retired but retained a significant influence on the country's politics.
