Former President of Uruguay and globally renowned political icon José “Pepe” Mujica, often dubbed “the world’s poorest president,” has passed away at the age of 89.
The news of his death was confirmed by Uruguay’s current President Yamandú Orsi via the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where he paid tribute, writing: “We are forever grateful for everything you gave us and for the profound love you had for your people.”
Mujica had been battling esophageal cancer in recent months, though the official cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
Serving as Uruguay’s president from 2010 to 2015, Mujica earned international acclaim for his humble lifestyle, fierce criticism of consumerism, and commitment to social reforms. Famously donating the majority of his presidential salary to charity, he chose to live in a modest farmhouse rather than the presidential palace.
Under his leadership, Uruguay became the first country in the world to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, a policy that garnered both global praise and domestic controversy.
Despite Uruguay’s small population of just 3.4 million, Mujica’s influence and reputation reached far beyond national borders. His authenticity, simplicity, and principled approach to governance inspired countless individuals around the world.
Born into a middle-class family in Montevideo, Mujica credited his mother for instilling in him a love for politics, literature, and the land. His political journey began with the traditional National Party, which would later become a center-right opposition to his administration.
In the 1960s, Mujica co-founded the leftist Tupamaros National Liberation Movement (MLN-T), a guerrilla group that engaged in armed struggle, including kidnappings and attacks against the state. During this turbulent period, Mujica was imprisoned four times. In one 1970 incident, he was shot six times and came close to death.
Despite the controversies of his revolutionary past, Mujica emerged as a symbol of humility and progressive leadership—a rare figure who lived by his values and never strayed from his ideals. His death marks the end of an extraordinary life defined by struggle, service, and simplicity.
