Did Pepe Mujica die? What we know about the former Uruguayan president's health

Former Uruguayan President José "Pepe" Mujica, an icon of the Latin American left and a globally respected figure, is going through one of the most difficult times of his life. At almost 90 years old, he is still alive.

Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi confirmed Sunday that "Pepe" Mujica is facing a serious deterioration in his health after visiting him at his residence following his participation in the country's internal elections.

" It's complicated, but he's taking care of himself. We have to leave him alone," Orsi told local media after her meeting with the 89-year-old former president.

The head of state stressed that " extreme care " is being taken to preserve Mujica's health, as he has been away from public life for weeks.

Lucía Topolansky, Mujica's wife and former vice president of the Republic, also addressed the situation when approached by journalists: " We have a foretold end ," she stated.

Topolansky called for respect for the family's privacy , although he acknowledged that, when dealing with a figure like Mujica, " it's almost impossible " to avoid public interest . He noted that only visits personally authorized by the former president are permitted .

On April 29, 2024, Mujica publicly revealed that he had been diagnosed with a malignant tumor in his esophagus, a condition aggravated by an immune disease he has suffered from for more than two decades.

In January 2025, the former president confirmed that the cancer had spread and was also affecting his liver.

Mujica has not made any public appearances since last March. His health continues to deteriorate, just days away from his 90th birthday , while those closest to him remain tight-lipped about his medical progress.