Pepe Mujica, between struggle, prison, and the presidency: his story and legacy

He Former Uruguayan President José Alberto 'Pepe' Mujica Cordano died at the age of 89 after a long battle with esophageal cancer. The former president, known worldwide as "the poorest man in the world " due to his austere lifestyle, was popularly known.

When he was president of Uruguay, Pepe donated approximately 90% of his monthly salary of $12,000 to charities that benefit low-income people.

Born on May 20, 1935 in Montevideo , José Mujica had a life marked by social struggle . A member of the Tupamaros National Liberation Movement, he participated in revolutionary activities in the 1960s and was arrested several times.

During the military dictatorship in Uruguay (1973-1985), he spent 12 years in prison , many of them in extreme conditions.

After regaining his freedom, Mujica joined democratic political life. He served as a deputy (1995-2000), senator (2000-2010), and Minister of Livestock in the first Broad Front government. In 2010 , he was elected President of Uruguay , a position he held until 2015.

During his government, Mujica promoted important social reforms, such as the legalization of marijuana , same-sex marriage , and the decriminalization of abortion .

Mujica was admired worldwide for his simple lifestyle. He refused to live in the presidential residence and instead chose to remain on his farm on the outskirts of Montevideo, where he grew flowers for sale. He donated around 90% of his presidential salary, which was around $12,000, to social organizations.

In 2005, he married Lucía Topolansky, also a former member of the Tupamaro movement. They had no children and always lived a life far removed from luxury , earning him the international nickname " the world's poorest president."

José Mujica retired from politics in 2020, after resigning his Senate seat for health and age reasons . His legacy endures as a symbol of honesty , simplicity , and political coherence in Latin America. For many, he was a leader who spoke clearly and lived by his principles.